US struggling to build anti-Islamic State strategy in Libya

New estimates put the size in Iraq and Syria between 19,000 and 25,000 down from close to 30,000.

“A large part of that is the Islamic State redirecting foreign fighters, specifically foreign fighters from the Sahel, North Africa and parts of east Africa as well to Libya rather than Syria and Iraq”, he said.

Back in December-and after 15 months of bombing ISIS in an effort to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the terror group-the USA military said its munitions supply was running low.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest cited the declining numbers of ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria as evidence that the Obama administration’s strategy is working in those countries.

The decrease may explain some of the increase of IS in Libya, which has risen from a couple thousand to about 5,000.

However, Kerry said the United States was opposed to deploying any of its ground forces into Libya and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius dismissed media speculation that Paris was poised to intervene in the oil-rich country. The Libyan officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. At a conference earlier this week in Rome, U.S., European and Arab officials resolved to “stand ready” to support Libya once it establishes a long-awaited government of national unity. There appear to be conflicting United States estimates of the strength of the movement’s Libyan affiliate.

“It’s unlikely any party will try to expel ISIS from eastern Syria or try to hold that terrain because so many actors are focused on the fight in Western Syria”, Gambhir warned.

The Pentagon has been monitoring IS growth in Libya and is developing a range of possible USA responses at the White House’s request, including the option of taking military action.

They also have not ruled out more precision strikes against top Islamic State leaders like one in November in which American F-15 aircraft killed Islamic State’s senior leader in Libya, known as Abu Nabil.

AFP stated that the official, who wished to remain anonymous, said because of the continuing US-led air campaigns and travel restrictions place on the area have resulted in the Daesh’s dropping numbers in Iraq and Syria.

The U.S.-led air campaign, which has hit IS with more than 10,000 strikes since 2014, has had an impact, as have global efforts to stem the flow of foreigners seeking to join the movement, Earnest said.