NATO Newsletter
NATO Newsletter
24 Apr. 2011

Operational Media Update

NATO and Libya - 23 April

Issued on 24 Apr. 2011
 

24 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 3,582 sorties and 1,488 strike sorties* have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 23 April: 144

Strike sorties conducted 23 April: 56

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

Key Targets and Engagements**

23 April: In Tripoli: 1 surface-to-air-site. In vicinity of Misurata: 1 tank, 1 command and control bunker, 1 semi truck, 3 heavy equipment transporters, 4 multiple rocket launchers, 2 vehicle storage buildings, 1 antenna, 3 artillery rocket launchers.. In vicinity of Sirte:1 bunker, 1 tank, 1 armoured vehicle, 3 other vehicles.

**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.
18 vessels were hailed on 23 April to determine destination and cargo.
0 boarding and 0 diversions were conducted.
A total of 589 vessels have been hailed, 14 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 ***: 116(air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 23 April: 0 completed, 10 in execution. Aircraft delivering Humanitarian Assistance 23 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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