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18 April. JFC Naples, SHAPE, NATO HQ
Mission
On March 27, NATO decided to take control over all military operations for Libya under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 & 1973. The aim of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under attack or threat of attack.
The mission consists of three elements: an arms embargo, a no-fly-zone and actions to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack.
Over the past 24 hours, NATO has conducted the following activities associated with Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR:
Air Operations
Since the beginning of the NATO operation (31 March 2011, 08.00GMT) a total of 2,771 sorties and 1,110 strike sorties* have been conducted.
Sorties conducted 17 April: 145
Strike sorties conducted 17 April: 60
*Strike sorties are intended to identify and engage appropriate targets, but do not necessarily deploy munitions each time.
Key Targets and Engagements**
17 April: In the vicinity of Tripoli: Seven ammunition bunkers destroyed. In the vicinity of Misrata: Four air defense radars destroyed. In the vicinity of Sirte: Two hangars; one ammunition depot destroyed. In the vicinity of Zintan: Four launchers; one air defense radar; one ammunition storage facility destroyed.
**Key Engagements are not intended to give a complete account of all targets which were engaged.
Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 18 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.
22 Vessels were hailed on 17 April to determine destination and cargo. 1 boarding was conducted (no diversion).
A total of 384 vessels have been hailed, 10 boardings and 3 diversions have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.
International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO
Total of Humanitarian Movements ***: 76 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 17 April: 2 executed and 5 in execution.
Aircraft delivering Humanitarian Assistance 17 April: 3
*** Some humanitarian movements cover several days.
Command and Control
NATO’s operational commander for Operation Unified Protector is Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard of the Canadian Air Force. His office and staff is located at the Joint Force Command in Naples.
More information on Operation Unified Protector
- www.jfcnaples.nato.int
- www.manp.nato.int
- www.nato.int/libya
Media Inquiries to:
NATO HQ Press Desk
+32 (0) 2 707 1010
+32 (0) 2707 1007
Mail to: moc@hq.nato.int
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