ISIS Still Growing In Libya Despite Possible US Intervention

The radical jihadist and self-styled Islamic State or ISIS is apparently taking advantage of the power vacuum that currently exists in post-Gadhafi Libya.

With its startling shock and awe campaign on the ground and cyberspace, ISIS managed to carve out sizeable pockets of territories across Syria, Iraq, and the rest of the Levant region.

Now, its global spread has taken a strong local foothold in an ongoing civil war in Libya. Recent Pentagon analysis points to a growing ISIS footprint in the North African country with a doubled increase in the number of fighters that joined its ranks. Current estimates put ISIS fighters at more than 5, 000.

"If we look at the raw numbers, the presence of ISIS [in Libya] is definitely strengthening and growing. I think the security threat they pose is definitely going up," remarked senior North Africa analyst Riccardo Fabiani of Eurasia Group as quoted saying by The Huffington Post.

By building localized branches in different countries and affiliating with existing local groups that espouse similar worldview, ISIS systematically expanded its politico-military reach as well as its recruitment machinery.

 As ISIS threats become increasingly more dangerous, security officials are mulling on the possibility of sending boots on the ground or any other means of concrete military intervention by the United States and its allies.

"It's fair to say that we're looking to take decisive military action against ISIL in conjunction with the political process in Libya. The president has made clear that we have the authority to use military force," said Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. as mentioned in a report by The New York Times.

In a more positive development, another intelligence report indicated an overall decline of ISIS' military might. The White House said that the estimated 20% decrease in the number of ISIS fighters reflects the ongoing US-backed campaigns supported by other Western allies and a handful of rich gulf countries.

"The decrease reflects the combined effects of battlefield deaths, desertions, internal disciplinary actions, recruiting shortfalls, and difficulties that foreign fighters face traveling to Syria," said National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne as stated by the Reuters.