NATO Launches Strike on Libya On Saturday 19th March, NATO forces spearheaded by America, England and France, unleashed a ferocious assault upon the forces of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi in an operation code named ‘Odyssey Dawn’.
Integrated air defense systems along the coast of Libya were the primary target, with 112 cruise missiles being launched from the British class submarine and from American warships against twenty air defence installations. French Mirage jets also destroyed a number of tanks and military units on the ground.
The action followed a long awaited mandate from the United Nations which came as a response to a plea from the citizens of Libya and also an appeal from the Arab League for NATO to establish a ‘No Fly Zone’ over Libya. The UN member countries voted unanimously to take military action, although Russia, China, India, Germany and Venezuela chose to abstain.
This mandate came in a worsening situation on the ground, with Libyan cities and civilians being increasingly subjected to artillery bombardment, together with aerial and naval assault. Despite UN resolution 1973 which demanded that Gaddafi must cease from hostility and withdraw his troops, his forces continued to attack Benghazi along with other cities, and to inflict numerous casualties.
The strongest statement yet was issued by President Obama who stipulated that Gaddafi must cease from all hostility against his people, should draw back his troops, should restore water and electricity to those cities under siege, and should allow access for emergency provisions and medical supplies.
This action represented the first phase of the operation against Gaddafi’s forces, with further action to follow. The mandate issued by the UN is wide ranging and specifies that ‘all necessary measures’ should be taken short of ‘boots on the ground’, ie the deployment of ground forces, which would not be welcome by the Libyan people. A number of officials have stressed the importance of other Arab nations to form part of the NATO force./TE
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