As Russia, France and other members of the U.S.-led coalition step up efforts to destroy the Islamic State (ISIS) forces in Syria, the terror group is setting up a new and dangerous foothold in another country in northern Africa — Libya.
The jihadist organisation reportedly already has a presence in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte and is planning to expand its influence throughout the country, according to USA Today.
The extremist organisation is supposedly taking advantage of the existing chaos in Libya following the overthrow of its leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
The declining U.S. presence in Libya, prompted by the 2012 terror attack on an American diplomatic facility in Benghazi that killed the U.S. ambassador, is also reportedly working in ISIS' favour.
Frederic Wehrey, an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warned that the ISIS effort to expands its influence in Libya poses danger for global security.
"The worrisome thing is if ISIS central decides to pivot and pour more resources in, it could be worse," Wehrey told USA Today.
The terrorist group also seemed to have set its sights on oil facilities near Sirte, he added.
Patrick Johnston, a counterterrorism analyst at RAND Corp., also sounded the alarm over the possibility of the ISIS taking over more territory in Libya.
"Libya is probably right now the most significant threat to becoming a full-blown sanctuary," Johnston said.
The U.S. military nevertheless earlier assured that Libya is still under control, and that any attempt by the ISIS to expand its reach in Libya will be thwarted.
"We are clearly watching them," Col. Chris Garver, a U.S. military spokesman, said of the ISIS militants in Libya.
Two weeks ago, American forces launched an airstrike in Libya for the first time, resulting in the death of ISIS leader Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi.
The U.S. Department of Defense said the ISIS leader's death will "degrade [ISIS'] ability to meet the group's objectives in Libya."
