NATO and Libya

Susan Brannon
11 September 2011
NATO and Libya Missions

As of 10 September 2011 below is a report of the latest military operations:

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 22,006 sorties, including 8,256 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 08 SEPTEMBER: 113
Strike sorties conducted 08 SEPTEMBER: 36

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

Key Hits 08 SEPTEMBER:
In the vicinity of Sirte: 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher.
In the vicinity of Waddan: 9 Anti Aircraft Guns, 3 Radars Systems.
In the vicinity of Sebha: 1 Military Vehicle Storage Facility.
In the vicinity of Bani Walid: 1 Surface to Surface Missile Storage Facility.
Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 14 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.
18 Vessels were hailed on 08 SEPTEMBER to determine destination and cargo. 1 boarding (0 denied) were conducted.
A total of 2539 vessels have been hailed, 263 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**1000: (air, ground, maritime).
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 08 SEPTEMBER: 2
Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 08 SEPTEMBER: 14 (http://nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_71994.htm

Humanitarian Update:
Reports of an escalating humanitarian crisis is occurring in Libya. Twenty-Five doctors are trying to enter into one of Muammar Gaddafi's strongholds in the attempt to avert the crisis.  Bani Walid is believed to have no power or water for a week, and food is running low.  The Rebels have surrounded the town, one of the last towns under Gaddafi's grip.

The people in Libya are relying on the food that is stored in their homes because there is no fruit or vegetables with a shortage of water.  The doctors want to supply food, not fight and they feel that they cannot go in, until it is safe.

The increase in NATO's bombing is escalating the humanitarian crisis, with artillery fire, bombing, airstrikes and special forces making it unsafe for Aid to come in.  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya reports that humanitarian efforts are ongoing in the country except for in Tripoli because of the tension in the area.  "The protection of civilians remains a humanitarian priority in Libya. There have been reports from human rights organisations and in the media that migrants and refugees (particularly Sub-Saharan Africans) are being subject to unlawful discrimination and harassment."

Treatment of conflict related injuries are high and difficult to maintain in the Tripoli ares. There are no confirmed figures of the number of killed and wounded in Tripoli. The Ministry of Health is
currently using the working figure of 3,000 wounded. In addition, INGOs report that an increasing number of
war-wounded are being treated in medical facilities in the Nafusa Mountains. The interim health minister has
provided a first estimate of the number of casualties since conflict broke out in Libya in February: around 30,000 people have been killed, 50,000 wounded, and around 4,000 people are missing.

For food concerns they also report: "People in greatest need of food
support include internally displaced persons, returnees, migrants, refugees, and people in areas affected by interrupted trade and supply. Since the last week of August, WFP has distributed more than 1,400 MT of mixed food items, covering the needs of some 84,500 beneficiaries in Gharyan, Sabratha, Surman, Zuwara and Tripoli."  In addition they need support for up to 400,000 people in Southern Libya and 200,000 in Gharyan and surrounding villages.  For more visit Libyan Arab Jamahiriya report. 

Video:  Letter from Tripoli - Sept 5th