President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi paid a visit to the Western military zone headquarters on the Libya-Egypt borders to meet miltary forces and tribal leaders. Al-Sisi will tell them of “their role in national security,” the military spokesperson said Wednesday.
According to the statement, Al-Sisi discussed “security plans” with the military pilots, adding that the borders must be protected from militant and terrorist infiltration as well as the smuggling of weapons.
Al-Sisi was “touched by the distinct level and professionalism that reflects the combat readiness of our airforce troops,” the statement read.
Egypt launched airstrikes allegedly against the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” (ISIS) in the city of Derna on Monday. The strikes occurred in coordination with Abduallah Al-Thinni’s internationally-recognised Libyan government in the eastern city of Tobruk.
The attacks followed the release of a video depicting and ISIS beheading of 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians on Libyan territories.
The military airstrikes allegedly killed three children, two elderly men, and a 21-year-old woman, Omar Al-Hasi’s government based in Tripoli stated.
Meanwhile, Al-Thinni’s government expressed its “concern” over the increasing terrorism in Libya, and its effects on neighbouring countries, in a Tuesday statement.
The statement it’s “appreciation” to Egypt for backing Libyans against “terrorism and extremism”. It also called on Egypt “to continue launching airstrikes” on militants targets in coordination with the Libyan leadership.