US Surprised by Egypt, UAE Airstrikes on Libyan Militants

Voice of America ^ | 08/27/2014

[SeekAndFind]

Senior U.S. officials said Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have launched airstrikes against Islamic militants in the Libyan capital twice in the past week.

U.S. officials told reporters that the move caught the United States by surprise, potentially dealing a blow to relations between Washington, Cairo and the Emirates.

U.S. officials said Egypt provided the base for the launch of the airstrikes, and the U.A.E. provided the aircraft and pilots.

Egypt has not publicly acknowledged any role in the air strikes. The UAE had no immediate comment.

The first strike took place in Tripoli a week ago and targeted Islamist-alligned militant-held facilities, such as a weapons depot, and killed six people, according to The New York Times.

The second airstrike hit militant-controlled rocket launchers, military vehicles and a warehouse in Tripoli, killing a dozen people.

U.S. officials, according to the Times, say the strikes have, so far, proved counterproductive. The militants gained control of the Tripoli airport just hours after the second attack.

[cherokee1]

Worthless? You’re being kind. Kriminally negligent and morally/ mentally halfassed is closer. The story says the US gummint had no idea that the UAE had an Air Force on the ground in Egypt. Tha’t disgustingly incompetent. But now some State Dept Dick claims the strike did more harm than good. Killing Muzzies is good. And why would they have any credibility starting now?

[Robe]

They have 3 Airbus A330 MRTT in the tanker/transport roll

[2001convSVT]

Spot on with everything you said. The US will do nothing to suppress Islamic radicals, it is up to Egypt and UAE to take care of their own security issues.

[Rainier1789]

I’ll bet Israel knew about it. And the Saudis. Of course they weren’t about to tell the Obama regime either.

[Eleutheria5]

Wait! How are we going to claim credit for uniting you?!

[Bringbackthedraft]

I believe that there was a statement from Egypt warning that the situation in Libya would threaten the security of Egypt. So it should not come as a surprise. If Egypt invaded Libya, what would the WH do about it, send Kerry to draw a red line? Good luck with that. The whole world is festering with unhappy souls, waiting for the spark.

[AdmSmith]

U.S. officials told reporters that the move caught the United States by surprise, potentially dealing a blow to relations between Washington, Cairo and the Emirates.

This is very strange, that these attacks would come have been known for more that a month in the public domain. The person that wrote this statement is an ignorant newbie or something worse. I hope for the first.

[Smokin' Joe]

What the Eyptian military did is impressive. They didn’t wait when they saw that the MB was a threat, and got rid of them when they had a chance. If only the US had done that with ISIS when the nature of the beast became obvious.

Not only do they know the score, they know what means what in the region (Plus, they have Morsi's brains to pick).

[SunkenCiv]

Rand Slams Congress for Funding Egypt's Generals: 'How Does Your Conscience Feel Now?'

Sen. Rand Paul is hammering his fellow senators for keeping billions in financial aid flowing to Egypt's military -- even as Cairo's security forces massacre anti-government activists. [by "anti-government activists" is meant church-burning Christian-murdering jihadists]

[Posted on 08/15/2013 5:44:10 PM PDT by Hoodat]