Britain is preparing to send up to 1,000 troops and special forces to Libya as Islamic State makes land grabs to extend its caliphate into the oil-rich North African state. British military personnel could contribute to a 6,000-strong Italian-led mission to train and support Libyan security forces. They would not be in a combat role but members of the SAS would be armed to take on high-value Isis terrorist targets. The deployment depends on the formation of a Libyan national unity government — a repeatedly delayed move that could happen today, according to Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary. Britain and its allies, thought to include the United States and France, then expect to receive an invitation for assistance from the newly created Libyan administration. “If
As we highlighted earlier this week, a joint UK-Italian mission is being prepared to enter Libya. Notionally these troops will take on a peace-keeping and advisory role, but this morning the London Times (paywall) is saying that SAS units will be used against high-value ISIS targets.