US personnel stationed in Tripoli were evacuated from the city in the wake of the advance of Libyan National Army forces, led by General Khalifa Hifter, towards the Libyan capital.
LNA forces started their push on April 5.
The UN-backed government says that 21 people have already been killed in fighting near the capital.
The US evacuation occurred on April 7, according to a statement from US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The evacuated personnel were a contingent of US forces supporting the command whose mission in Libya involves military support to diplomatic missions and counter-terrorism activities.
NEW DETAILS: The #US army evacuated the US diplomatic mission stationed in #Tripoli . #Libya pic.twitter.com/GKZIVU9obB
— Ali Özkök (@Ozkok_) April 7, 2019
Footage of U.S Africa command personnel being evacuated from Libya to a U.S navy ship in the Mediterranean this morning #Libya #Tripoli pic.twitter.com/BsuMo9PbPC
— CNW (@ConflictsW) April 7, 2019
“US Africa Command is conducting prudent military planning while continuing to assess the security situation,” AFRICOM further said in the statement.
“The command is making the personnel adjustments in response to the evolving security situation. US Africa Command will continue to monitor conditions on the ground in Libya, and assess the feasibility for renewed US military presence, as appropriate.”
“The security realities on the ground in Libya are growing increasingly complex and unpredictable,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, commander, US Africa Command. “Even with an adjustment of the force, we will continue to remain agile in support of existing US strategy.”
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo on April 8 warned Khalifa Haftar’s forces to halt their offensive.
“We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital,” Pompeo said.
“Forces should return to status quo ante positions. All involved parties have a responsibility to urgently de-escalate the situation, as the UN Security Council and G7 ministers emphasized on April 5. This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans.”