Operational Media Update for 12 September 2011

NATO and Libya

13 September. 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 22,456 sorties, including 8,427 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 12 SEPTEMBER: 114

Strike sorties conducted 12 SEPTEMBER: 37

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

Key Hits 12 SEPTEMBER:

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Radar System, 8 Surface to Air Missile Systems, 5 Surface to Air Missile Trailers/Transloaders, 1 Armed Vehicle, 2 Air Defense Command Vehicles.

In the vicinity of Waddan: 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun.

In the vicinity of Sebha: 6 Tanks, 2 Armoured Fighting Vehicle.

Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 14 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

22 Vessels were hailed on 12 SEPTEMBER to determine destination and cargo. 2 boardings (0 denied) were conducted.

A total of 2604 vessels have been hailed, 275 boardings and 11 denials have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements**1110: (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 12 SEPTEMBER: 0

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 12 SEPTEMBER: 45

**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.