Melech 9,900 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Egypt says it has bombed Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the group published video showing the apparent beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians. State TV said the dawn strikes had targeted camps, training sites and weapons storage areas. It did not give further details but witnesses reported air strikes in the port city of Derna, held by militants. A video emerged on Sunday showing a group wearing orange overalls being forced to the ground and decapitated. IS militants claim to have carried out several attacks in Libya, which is in effect without a government. The kidnapped Egyptian workers, all Coptic Christians, were seized in December and January from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, under the control of Islamist groups. The group's relatives had been demanding more action from Egypt The video of the beheadings was posted online by Libyan jihadists who pledge loyalty to IS. It was one of the first such videos to come from an IS group outside its core territory in Syria and Iraq. The killings were described as "barbaric" by al-Azhar, the highly regarded theological institution which is based in Egypt. Egypt's military said Monday's air strikes were "to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers". "Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield that protects them," it said. The statement said all planes involved had returned safely. line Earlier, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt had the "right to respond" against IS, whom he described as "inhuman criminal killers". "Egypt and the whole world are in a fierce battle with extremist groups carrying extremist ideology and sharing the same goals." Egypt has declared seven days of national mourning. Leading international condemnation, the United States called the purported killings "despicable" and "cowardly". Libya is home to a large community of both Muslim and Coptic Egyptians, with most working in the construction sector. In the first kidnapping in Sirte, in late December, a group of Coptic Christians was abducted at a fake checkpoint while trying to leave the city. Days later, militants raided a residential compound in Sirte and separated Christians from Muslims before handcuffing their captives and taking them away. Rival governments Libya has been in chaos since 2011 and the overthrow of its then-leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, numerous militia groups have battled for control. It has two rival governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk. Meanwhile, the eastern city of Benghazi - where the 2011 revolution began - is largely in the hands of Islamist fighters some with links to al-Qaeda. A member of the Libyan pro-government forces, backed by the locals, carries his weapon during clashes with the Shura Council of Libyan Revolutionaries Libya has become increasingly unstable The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned last month that IS was assembling "a growing international footprint that includes ungoverned and under-governed areas", including Libya. On Sunday, Italy closed its embassy in Tripoli. Italy, the former colonial power, lies less than 500 miles (750km) from Libya at the shortest sea crossing point. Despite the turmoil in Libya, thousands of Egyptians go to the country looking for work. "These people are not in Libya for tourism, for joy, to steal or even to beat others, these people went to Libya to work and earn some money," said Shehata Walham, the brother of one of those killed. There had been demonstrations in Egypt calling on the government to do more to secure the release of those held. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31483631 More and more countries turning against ISIS. thank god. Let's bomb them away of the earth surface. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterdreams 1,529 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 I can't say I'm against this Haters gonna need more than a flashlight for my shade Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMonster 185 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 I am so sad that those beheadings happened. I hope their families are able to get through this hard time. Thank goodness many countries in particular those close or in the Middle East are really starting to take big action against IS. I hate the idea of dealing with killing by killing but I'm afraid there doesn't appear to be another option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 680 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Way to go Egypt. One of the best regimes in the Middle East. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooke Hoegan 1,020 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 yes, bomb those mother****ers bomb ha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qualle1 1,385 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 ISIS needs to be destroyed. Enough said. MAKE LOVE NOT WAR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valextra 58 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 ISIS needs to be destroyed. Enough said. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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