ISIS fighters in Libya surge as group suffers setbacks in Syria, Iraq

February 05, 2016 15:37

The US assesses that ISIS is ramping up the numbers of militants in Libya and that it has become harder for the group's fighters to enter Syria.

The US estimate of ISIS militants in Libya has doubled as it has become harder for them to enter Syria, according to US intelligence assessments.

There may now be up to 6,500 ISIS fighters in Libya, twice the number previously thought, according to several U.S. intelligence officials.

They attributed the increase to the US analysis that ISIS is diverting more fighters to Libya from Syria -- and from Turkey when they cannot get into Syria.

"ISIS is investing heavily in Libya," one US official said.

While the estimate of up to 6,500 is the most recent from military intelligence sources, others in the intelligence community don't agree and believe the number could be half that.

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