At least 40 people were killed in the United States-led airstrikes near Libya's Sabratha on Friday, according to reports. The American warplanes targeted an ISIS camp of a Tunisian operative who was held responsible for two deadly terrorist attacks in Tunisia last year.
While Agence-France Presse reported the death toll at 40, the New York Times quoted Sabratha mayor Hussain al-Dawadi as saying that at least 41 were killed and six others were injured in the airstrikes at 3:30 a.m.
"The vast majority of those killed were Tunisians who were probably members of IS," Dawadi said. Majority of the dead ISIS militants were from Tunisia.
The US warplanes also attacked a farmhouse that was seized by ISIS militants. Several Tunisians were believed to have gathered to listen a Muslim religious leader's speech when they were attacked, the NYT quoted some officials as saying.
Meanwhile, intelligence officials were trying to find out if Tunisian operative Noureddine Chouchane was killed in the attack.
At least 38 tourists, including 30 from Britain, were killed in the July attack on a beach resort. Another attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis killed 21 tourists and a policeman in March. ISIS had claimed the responsibility of the attacks and Chouchane was believed to be behind it.
Tunisian interior ministry had issued arrest warrants against Chouchane after the attack on the museum.
