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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Ubari, Libya, on March 24, 2018, killing two al-Qa’ida terrorists, including Musa Abu Dawud, a high ranking al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb official.

Dawud trained AQIM recruits in Libya for attack operations in the region. He provided critical logistics support, funding and weapons to AQIM, enabling the terrorist group to threaten and attack U.S. and Western interests in the region.

U.S. Africa Command initially disclosed this strike on March 24. Now that operational reporting and the battle damage assessment is fully complete, the command is able to confirm the death of Dawud.

At this time, we assess no civilians were killed in this strike.

Counterterrorism operations in Libya are conducted in accordance with U.S. and international law. This strike was conducted under authority provided by Congress in the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force and in coordination with the GNA.

Al-Qa’ida and other terrorist groups, such as ISIS, have taken advantage of under-governed spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting, inspiring, and directing terror attacks; recruiting and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorist fighters; and raising and moving funds to support their operations. Left unaddressed, these organizations could continue to inflict casualties on the civilian populations and security forces, and plot attacks against U.S. citizens and allied interests in the region.