Den 4. januar 2015 overtog ISIL-styrker i Libyen kontrollen med den østlige landskab Sabha og henrettede 14 libyske soldater under processen. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/middle-east-updates/1.635108|title=Middle East updates / ISIS kills 14 Libyan soldiers, official government says|date=3. januar 2015|work=Haaretz|access-date=29. januar 2015|archive-date=28. januar 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128130057/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/middle-east-updates/1.635108|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.antiwar.com/2015/01/04/isis-fighters-kill-14-soldiers-in-southern-libya/|title=ISIS Fighters Kill 14 Soldiers in Southern Libya|work=News From Antiwar.com|access-date=29. januar 2015|archive-date=28. januar 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128055746/http://news.antiwar.com/2015/01/04/isis-fighters-kill-14-soldiers-in-southern-libya/|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref> De kontrollerede midlertidigt en del af Derna før de blev drevet ud i midten af 2015.<ref name="victory">{{cite web|url=http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/24/a-victory-over-the-islamic-state-in-libya/|title=A Victory Over the Islamic State in Libya|work=Foreign Policy|access-date=4. juli 2015|archive-date= 9. juni 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609233833/https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/24/a-victory-over-the-islamic-state-in-libya/|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref> Rapporter fra Sirte antyder, at ISIL's militante grupper baseret der er en blanding af udenlandske krigere og ex-Gaddafi loyalister.<ref>{{cite news|title=Isis in Libya: Muammar Gaddafi's soldiers are back in the country and fighting under the black flag of the 'Islamic State'|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-in-libya-muammar-gaddafis-soldiers-are-back-in-the-country-and-fighting-under-the-black-flag-of-the-islamic-state-10111964.html|work=The Independent|date=16. marts 2015|access-date=17. august 2015|location=London|first=Yasmine|last=Ryan|archive-date=18. august 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818234109/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-in-libya-muammar-gaddafis-soldiers-are-back-in-the-country-and-fighting-under-the-black-flag-of-the-islamic-state-10111964.html|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref> Et initiativ mellem pro-Dawn kræfter tilknyttede Misrata og Operation Dawn stødte sammen med disse er militante i Sirte.<ref>{{cite news|title=Libya Observer|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=669494713155612|work=Libya Observer|date=14. marts 2015|access-date=14. marts 2015|archive-date= 4. februar 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204213957/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=669494713155612|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Libya Islamist militia attacks Daesh in Sirte|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/478517--libya-islamist-militia-attacks-daesh-in-sirte|work=Anadolu Agency|date=14. marts 2015|access-date=14. marts 2015|archive-date=15. marts 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315065606/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/478517--libya-islamist-militia-attacks-daesh-in-sirte|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Islamic State fighters and force allied with Tripoli clash in central Libya|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/14/libya-security-idUSL6N0WG0M620150314|work=Reuters|date=14. marts 2015|access-date=14. marts 2015|archive-date=30. september 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930184432/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/14/libya-security-idUSL6N0WG0M620150314|url-status=dead}} {{en sprog}}</ref> Kampe mellem libyske Dawn-styrker og ISIL militante blev også rapporterede i Daheera-området vest for byen Sirte, og ved Harawa øst for Sirte.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fighting between GNC-Libyan Dawn’s Sunrise and IS forces – deaths and injuries reported|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2015/03/15/fighting-between-gnc-libyan-dawns-sunrise-and-is-forces-deaths-and-injuries-reported/#axzz3UD6DEns1|work=Libya Herald|date=14. marts 2015|access-date=14. marts 2015|archive-date=16. marts 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316131640/http://www.libyaherald.com/2015/03/15/fighting-between-gnc-libyan-dawns-sunrise-and-is-forces-deaths-and-injuries-reported/#axzz3UD6DEns1|url-status=live}} {{en sprog}}</ref>
Filosofi