Tripoli, Feb 16 (IANS): Libyan army warplanes Monday bombed the eastern city of Derna, which is controlled by a Libyan affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, according to an army commander.

The airstrikes targeted IS bases in the city, and more raids would be carried out later Monday and Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported citing Libyan air force commander Saqer al-Joroushi.

There were no immediate reports about casualties in the airstrikes.

The air raids came a day after the IS released a video purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians who had been abducted in Libya.

Libya's internationally recognised House of Representatives Sunday issued a statement condemning the "heinous act", saying Libyans and Egyptians would be united in confronting the terrorists.

Egyptian jets Sunday carried out airstrikes on several sites including some weapons depots in Derna.

Derna fell to militants loyal to the IS last year and has become a major training base for Libya's extremists. Besides the eastern coastal city, Libya's central city of Sirte was also seized by the IS recently.

Libya is now deadlocked in a fight between a pro-secular army and Islamist militants, making the country a recruiting ground for extremists.