Operational Media Update for 13 September 2011

NATO and Libya

14 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 22,578 sorties, including 8,471 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 13 SEPTEMBER: 122

Strike sorties conducted 13 SEPTEMBER: 44

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

Key Hits 13 SEPTEMBER:

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Command and Control Node, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 2 Anti-Aircraft Guns,1 Armed Vehicle, 4 Radar Systems.

In the vicinity of Waddan: 7 Anti-Aircraft Guns.

In the vicinity of Zillah: 1 Armed Vehicle.

Arms Embargo Activities

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

15 Vessels were hailed on 13 SEPTEMBER to determine destination and cargo. 6 boardings (0 denied) were conducted.

A total of 2619 vessels have been hailed, 281 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**1151: (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 13 SEPTEMBER: 1

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 13 SEPTEMBER: 40

**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.