Al Qubbah bombings explained

Al Qubbah bombings
Partof:Second Libyan Civil War
Location:Al Qubbah, Libya
Date:20 February 2015
Type:Bombing
Fatalities:40[1]
Perps: Islamic State in Libya
Weapons:Three bombs

The al Qubbah bombings occurred in Al Qubbah, Libya on February 20, 2015.

Events

Operatives loyal to the Islamic State group detonated three bombs in al-Qubbah, targeting a petrol station, a police station, and the home of President of the Libyan House of Representatives since 5 August 2014 (and effectively the country's parliamentary speaker) Aguila Saleh Issa.[1] These attacks reportedly killed at least 40 people.[1] Six Egyptians were identified among the fatalities in the attacks, and their bodies were repatriated to Egypt via the Sallum border crossing.[2]

ISIL said that the attacks were carried out in retaliation for the February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya.[3] The Egyptian Air Force had launched strikes following the kidnapping and beheading of 21 Copts in Libya in February 2015.

The U.S. State Department,[4] the Misrata Municipality,[5] and New General National Congress (Libya Dawn)[6] condemned the attacks.

Notes and References

  1. News: Libya violence: Islamic State attack 'kills 40' in al-Qubbah. BBC. 20 February 2015. 20 February 2015.
  2. Web site: Bodies of 6 Egyptians Killed in Libya Blasts Returned . allAfrica . 21 February 2015 . 23 February 2015.
  3. Web site: Libya violence: Islamic State attack 'kills 40' in al-Qubbah . BBC . 20 February 2015 . 21 February 2015.
  4. News: US State Dept condemns violent attack in Libya . Egypt Independent. 20 February 2015. 20 February 2015.
  5. News: Libya Observer. Libya Observer. 20 February 2015. 20 February 2015.
  6. News: Libya Observer. Libya Observer. 20 February 2015. 20 February 2015.