Operational Media Update for 14 May 2011

NATO and Libya

15 May. JFC Naples, SHAPE, NATO HQ

Mission
NATO took control of all military operations for Libya under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 & 1973 on 31 March 2011. 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 6661 sorties, including 2608 strike sorties* have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 14 May: 136
Strike sorties conducted 14 May: 52

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

Key Hits
14 May: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 1 Armoured Vehicle Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Misratah: 2 Rocket Launchers. In the vicinity of Al Qaryat: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Zintan: 2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 20 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.
8 Vessels were hailed on 14 May to determine destination and cargo. 2 boardings (no diversions) were conducted.
A total of 928 vessels have been hailed, 39 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***: 202 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 14 May: 5
Aircraft delivering Humanitarian Assistance 14 May: 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 related to operations contact: