Operational Media Update for 20 May 2011

NATO and Libya

21 May. Allied Joint Force Command NAPLES, SHAPE, NATO HQ
            (more information: www.jfcnaples.nato.int)

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 7585 sorties, including 2926 strike sorties* have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 20 May: 157
Strike sorties conducted 20 May: 58

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

Key Hits
20 May: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Node, 1 Armoured Vehicle Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Sebha: 1 Command & Control Node. In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers. In the vicinity of Zintan: 3 Rocket Launchers.

Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 21 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.
10 Vessels were hailed on 20 May to determine destination and cargo. 1 boarding (no diversions) was conducted.
A total of 992 vessels have been hailed, 47 boardings and 7 diversions have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO
Total of Humanitarian Movements***: 237 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 20 May: 2
Aircraft delivering Humanitarian Assistance 20 May: 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 Allied Joint Force Command Naples.