Egyptian Air Force Bombs Islamic State Fighters in Libya

Following the release of a video showing ISIL militants beheading 21 Egyptian Christian Copts, Egypt's Air Force bombed Islamic State positions in Libya at dawn Monday, according to local state television.
Egypt reserves to itself a right to respond to the execution of of 21 Egyptian Copts by ISIL - Egyptian

CAIRO (Sputnik) – The Egyptian Air Force has carried out a series of bombings on Islamic State (ISIL) positions in Libya following execution of 21 Egyptian Copts, Egyptian state television said Monday.

On Sunday evening, the ISIL published a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christian Copts who were kidnapped in Libya.


Egyptian President Abdel Sisi said Cairo “reserves the right to respond in any way” after the brutal killings.

Egypt is part of a broad coalition of US, EU and Arab countries fighting the IS militant group in the Middle East since August 2014. The coalition was set up following the rapid advance of the ISIL in Syria and Iraq, where it hopes to create a caliphate.

Reports emerged last Sunday saying a group of Egyptian fishermen, all Coptic Christians, had been abducted by armed militants in Libya. A video allegedly showing their execution appeared later that day, causing outrage in Egypt.

In a televised address early on Monday, Sisi condemned the killings and prohibited Egyptian nationals to travel to Libya, which is de facto without a government. He also vowed to "bring back" Egyptians already in Libya.

The crisis in Libya has led to concern that jihadists may capitalize on the political vacuum there. There are several armed groups fighting for control over the North African country after the killing of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi.