Operational Media Update for 23 August 2011

NATO and Libya

24 August. Allied Joint Force Command NAPLES, SHAPE, NATO HQ

(more information: http://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, 06.00GMT) a total of 20,121 sorties, including 7, 587 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 23 AUGUST: 127

Strike sorties conducted 23 AUGUST:46

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

Key Hits 23 AUGUST:

In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Military Heavy Equipment Truck, 3 Surface to Air Missile System, 1 Radar.

In the vicinity of Ras Lanuf: 3 Armed Vehicles, 3 Multiple Rocket Launchers.

In the vicinity of Zuwarah: 2 Tanks, 3 Armed Vehicles, 2 Military Trucks, 1 Military Facility.

Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 15 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

12 Vessels were hailed on 23 AUGUST to determine destination and cargo. 0 boarding's ( 0 denials) were conducted.

A total of 2313 vessels have been hailed, 236 boarding's and 10 denials have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements**:826 (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 23 AUGUST: 0

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 23 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.