Islamic State using Libya to send fighters into Europe and America

Islamic State using Libya to send fighters into Europe and America
By Mark Ellis, Special to ASSIST News Service
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (ANS - June 12, 2015) -- Islamic State is using Libya ‎as access point into Europe and the U.S., taking advantage of the unstable, chaotic condition of the troubled country, according to a report by Fox News.
The Italian government intercepted over 30 Islamic State fighters recently who entered through Libya, but many more may not have been captured.
“There is no way you can block it,” one government official told Fox News. “Libya is now an easy entry point into the E.U. and ultimately into the U.S. for Islamic State. They are saying, ‘This is the way to America.’”
As the U.S. administration focuses their primary attention on Syria and Iraq, some worry that Libya is actually the most unstable country in the region and gives ISIS its best opportunity for entry to the West, according to the Fox story.
The Libyan port city of Sirte, which lies on the Mediterranean between Benghazi and Tripoli, was flying the black flag of Islamic State last week and now is essentially under Islamic State control. The terrorist group also controls the airfield — building a supply-line much like they did in Iraq when the city of Mosul was captured, according to officials.
Hard drugs have also become widespread in Libya, mostly introduced by outsiders who have entered the country easily. Libya now seems to be part of a drug route into Europe and the U.S., with a significant portion of the supply originally from Afghanistan.
Prior to Muammar Qaddafi’s overthrow, drugs were not widely used in Libya and even frowned upon, but that has changed considerably because criminal elements as well as Islamic State need money to fund their nefarious activities.
“Oil and drugs are how the militias are getting their money to fund their terrorism and America should be very concerned,” one intelligence agent told Fox.
Photo caption: Egyptian Coptic Christians about to be beheaded on a beach in Libya
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About the writer: Mark Ellis is a senior correspondent for ASSIST News Service and also the founder of www.Godreports.com,  a website that shares stories, testimonies and videos from the church around the world to build interest and involvement in world missions. 

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