The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) was lost over Tripoli on last Thursday, saying the incident is under investigation.

"RPA operations are conducted in Libya to assess the ongoing security situation and monitor violent extremist activity." AFRICOM said in a statement on Friday.

It added that these operations are critical to counter terror activity in Libya and are fully coordinated with appropriate government officials.

Last Wednesday, Italy's Defense Ministry said one of its drones crashed in Libya, saying it was doing a mission for Mare Sicuro (Safe Sea) operation, adding that the incident was under investigation.

Meanwhile, Khalifa Haftar's forces said they had downed "a Turkish drone" over Tarhouna before Italy said the drone was one of its Mare Sicuro aircraft, doing surveillance.