The militant group has established a base with thousands of fighters in the coastal city of Sirte.

President Barack Obama has vowed not to let ISIS build a base in Libya, saying the United States would take action where there was a “clear target.”

“We are working with our other coalition partners to make sure that, as we see opportunities to prevent ISIS from digging in in Libya, we take them,” Obama said.

“We will continue to take actions where we got a clear operation and a clear target in mind.”

The militant group has established a base with thousands of fighters in the coastal city of Sirte.

The hometown of late dictator Muammar Qaddafi, the city is a strategic port near oilfields that could provide a lucrative source of income.

“The tragedy of Libya over the last several years is Libya has a relatively small population and a lot of oil wealth, and could be really successful,” said Obama.

Since rebels and Western airpower toppled Qaddafi’s regime in 2011, the country has effectively lacked a government.

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