NATO Newsletter
NATO Newsletter
21 Apr. 2011

Operational Media Update

NATO and Libya - 20 April

Issued on 21 Apr. 2011
 

21 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 3,148 sorties and 1,311 strike sorties* have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 20 April: 132

Strike sorties conducted 20 April: 50

*Strike sorties are intended to identify and engage appropriate targets, but do not necessarily deploy munitions each time.

Key Targets and Engagements**

20 April: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 heavy equipment transporters, 3 armored vehicles, 1 ammunition storage site. In the vicinity of Misurata: 2 tanks, 1 communication tower, 1 radar. In the vicinity of Zintan: 1 tank, 2 rocket launchers.

**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 20 April to determine destination and cargo. 1 boarding and 2 diversions were conducted.
A total of 484 vessels have been hailed and 11 boardings and 5 diversions have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements ***: 94 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 20 April: none executed and 11 in execution.
Aircraft delivering Humanitarian Assistance 20 April: 1

*** 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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