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World Air Force News - Libya
 
 
NATO aircraft struck a series of targets Qadhafi forces in Sirte to protect civilian population.
 
September 24, 2011, NATO aircraft, as part of Operation Unified Protector struck a series of targets Qadhafi forces used in order to threaten the civilian population of Sirte. Among the targets were: an ammunition storage facility, an anti aircraft gun, a command and control node, and two armed vehicles.
     
September 24, 2011, NATO aircraft, as part of Operation Unified Protector struck a series of targets Qadhafi forces used in order to threaten the civilian population of Sirte. Among the targets were: an ammunition storage facility, an anti aircraft gun, a command and control node, and two armed vehicles.
British Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft prepare to launch on a mission over Libya from Gioia del Colle air base in southern Italy
[Picture: Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman, Crown Copyright/British MOD 2011]
     
NATO has employed careful planning and precision munitions as we have done throughout the campaign.

In recent days some open-source and intelligence and dozens of eyewitness accounts in Sirte have described worsening conditions precipitated by Qadhafi forces. The brutal nature of their acts, signify a defunct regime in its final days.

Among the reports emerging from Sirte are executions, hostage-taking, and the calculated targeting of individuals, families, and communities within the city. Hundreds of families are being prevented from their desired evacuation by the absence of safety and fuel. Other resources required for survival including water, medicine, and food are in short supply or denied to civilians. Mercenaries roam the streets and civilians lack access to outside information. These conditions have persisted for days while Qadhafi forces maintain control likely resulting in a severe situation.

NATO Operation Unified Protector commenced in order to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.
     
September 24, 2011, NATO aircraft, as part of Operation Unified Protector struck a series of targets Qadhafi forces used in order to threaten the civilian population of Sirte. Among the targets were: an ammunition storage facility, an anti aircraft gun, a command and control node, and two armed vehicles.
French attack helicopter Tigre is used by the NATO for operations in Libya.
     
NATO operations in Libya media update 25 September:

Air Operations
Since the beginning of the NATO operation (31 March 2011, 06.00GMT) a total of 23,938 sorties, including 8,941 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

- Sorties conducted 25 SEPTEMBER: 104
- Strike sorties conducted 25 SEPTEMBER: 42

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

Key Hits 25 SEPTEMBER:
In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 command and control node, 2 ammunition/vehicle storage facility, 1 radar facility, 1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 military support vehicle, 1 artillery piece, 1 ammunition storage facility.

Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 13 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean. 15 Vessels were hailed on 25 SEPTEMBER to determine destination and cargo. 0 boardings (0 denied) were conducted.
A total of 2823 vessels have been hailed, 292 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**1428: (air, ground, maritime)
- Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 25 SEPTEMBER: 1
- Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 25 SEPTEMBER: 2