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.

The internationally recognized government was quick to offer condolences to Egypt, condemn the murder of the workers and give its approval to the airstrikes launched by the Egyptian air force against IS targets in the eastern city of Derna, where IS first appeared in Libya less than a year ago.

Col. Saqer al-Joroushi, the spokesman for Libya’s nascent air force, loyal to Gen. Khalifa Hifter and allied with the government, said that his forces also took part in the airstrike in which “between 40 to 50 militants were killed,” promising more strikes Feb. 17-18.