Libyan ISIS branch claims deadly hotel attack in Tripoli

The Libyan branch of ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly gun and bomb attack on a luxury hotel in the Libyan capital in which five foreigners, including an American contractor, died.

At least 10 people and two attackers were killed in Tuesday’s attack against the Corinthia Hotel, said a spokesman for a security division of the Ministry of Interior in Tripoli, Essam al-Naas.

The Libyan branch of ISIS released photos Wednesday of the two gunmen it said had carried out the attacks, identifying them as Abu Ibraheem Al-Tunsi and Abu Sulaiman Al-Sudani. Their naming convention indicates that the men were of Tunisian and Sudanese origin, respectively.

Al-Naas said it appears the attackers were Libyans.

The U.S. State Department last week issued a warning advising U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya and recommending that any U.S. citizens currently in the North African country should leave immediately.

“Extremist groups in Libya have made several specific threats against U.S. government officials, citizens, and interests in Libya,” it said.

“Because of the presumption that foreigners, especially U.S. citizens, in Libya may be associated with the U.S. government or U.S. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), travelers should be aware that they may be targeted for kidnapping, violent attacks, or death.”

CNN’s Nima Elbagir, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Stephanie Halasz, Bob Hand, Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz and Laura Koran contributed to this report.

CNN