The United States has positioned two “contact teams” of Special Operations Forces in Benghazi and Misurata, Libya, since late last year, according to a new report from the Washington Post. The deployment involves fewer than 25 soldiers, who are working with local forces to gain intelligence and identify potential partners. The U.S. troops are working in parallel with French and other European commandos also in the area. U.S. officials have discussed concerns about the Islamic State’s presence in Libya, particularly in Sirte, and the Pentagon has said it is working on plans to address the threat.
The first shipment of mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP) from the US has been delivered to the Egyptian military, according to the US Embassy in Egypt. – Defense News
The United States gave jeeps, communications technology and small aircraft to Tunisia on Thursday to help protect the border with Libya, where Islamic State has gained ground and set up training camps, officials said. - Reuters
Several recent cases of police abuse – which the Tunisian government acknowledges still sometimes occurs – underscore the difficult path Tunisia is treading as it tries to both nurture the young democracy it founded after the 2011 revolution and simultaneously fight Islamist militants. - Reuters