The United States killed four Islamic State terrorists in a strike near Bani Walid, Libya earlier today, according to a US Forces Africa Command (AFRICOM) press release.

The US has conducted three counterterrorism strikes in Libya in 2018, AFRICOM’s Major Karl J. Wiest confirmed to Long War Journal. On Mar. 24, US forces conducted a strike near Ubari which killed Musa Abu Dawud, a high-ranking al Qaeda leader in Libya, along another jihadist the US said held a leadership position.

AFRICOM also conducted a strike against the Islamic State near Fuqaha on Jan. 23 which destroyed two vehicles, according to Major Wiest.

In 2016, the United States conducted a record 497 strikes in Libya, nearly all of which supported a Libyan operation to recapture the coastal city of Sirte from the Islamic State. Since the end of that operation, strikes have declined dramatically. Limited strikes against the Islamic State do, however, serve as a reminder of the group’s resilience. In early May, the Libya branch responded to a call to target elections, killing at least twelve.

“The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing terrorists from establishing safe haven,” AFRICOM said in the statement.

Alexandra Gutowski is the senior military affairs analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

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