First footage of US airstrike in new anti-ISIS Libya mission
Raw video: United States military conducts precision bombing of tank near Sirte
U.S. Africa Command on Thursday released the first video from this week's round of airstrikes targeting Islamic State forces in their Libyan stronghold of Sirte, part of a ramped-up campaign against the terror network there.
The aerial video shows a strike destroying a T-72 tank near the coastal city.
At the urging of the Pentagon, President Obama authorized the precision strikes against ISIS tanks, rocket launchers and fighting positions.
Mired in chaos after the ouster of strongman Moammar Qaddafi in 2011, Libya became a target for ISIS extremists aiming to build a safe haven outside its initial territory in Iraq and Syria.
The U.S. campaign began on Monday and included Marine Corps Harrier jets and two unmanned Reaper drones, the Pentagon told Fox News.
U.S. officials say even though the number of ISIS fighters in Libya has dwindled, they hope to help Libya's fledgling, U.N.-backed unity government finish the job.
The Italian government was ready to "positively evaluate" any request for air base or airspace use in the U.S. airstrikes against ISIS militants in Libya if that would yield "a more rapid and effective end" to the campaign, Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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