In its classic show of brutality, the Islamic State (IS) terror group committed yet another appalling crime on Feb. 15 by murdering 21 Coptic Egyptians in Libya’s city of Sirte, where the group has been quietly consolidating its presence since it first came to the devastated coastal city a little over a year ago. The trademark IS video appeared to have been well rehearsed and professionally produced to send a clear message of horror intended to terrify and intimidate any opponents.
Residents of war-ravaged Sirte have repeatedly told outsiders of the recent escalating activities of IS in their town. However, Libya’s weak government lacks any control over much of the country, Sirte included, which is supposedly under the control of the Tripoli-based rival government set up by Libya Dawn militias after they overran Tripoli and much of western Libya in August 2014.
