Operational Media Update for 13 August 2011

NATO and Libya

14 August. Allied Joint Force Command 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, 06.00GMT) a total of 18,884 sorties, including 7,174 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 13 AUGUST: 110
Strike sorties conducted 13 AUGUST: 47

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

Key Hits 13 AUGUST:

In the vicinity of Brega: 7 Military Vehicles, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher
In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Military Vehicle.
In the vicinity of Waddan: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility.
In the vicinity of Zlitan: 2 Military Vehicles
In the vicinity of Bir Al Ghanam: 1 Military Vehicle
In the vicinity of Misratah: 4 Anti-Aircraft Guns.
In the vicinity of Zawiyah: 2 Tanks.
In the vicinity of Tawurgah: 2 Military Vehicles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Guns.

Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 17 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

17 Vessels were hailed on 13 AUGUST to determine destination and cargo. No boardings (no denials) were conducted.

A total of 2173 vessels have been hailed, 217 boardings and 9 denials have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements**: 773 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 13 AUGUST: 0
Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 13 AUGUST: 0

**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.