Orbat Libya Conflict

Armand2REP

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ALLIED FORCES

French force position:

Forbin is off the coast of Libya now. CdG battle group departing Toulon on Sunday. Istres (France), Solenzara (Corsica) and N'Djemena (Chad) are on high alert getting reinforced squadrons and supplies for the campaign. Over 100 fighters are being made ready. Joan of Arc 2011 has yet to depart the Eastern Med which includes Mistral and Georges Leygues .

British force position:

Frigates HMS Cumberland and HMS Westminster in international Med waters. Malta has allowed a couple AWACs stationed. RAF Akrotiri is on high alert with several Typhoon and GR4s coming along with tankers. 2 Nimrods facing scrap have been delayed. Up to 40 combat aircraft will be provided by RAF.

US force position:

USN will only launch TLAMs against the IADS. Obama made it clear "I am not authorizing any soldiers or fighter planes." If push comes to shove, the Big-E can come but not likely. Support flights will come out of Italian bases. 2 ABs, 1 LPD, 1 LPH and 1 SSN are in the Med. More SSNs are said to be dispatched.

UAE and Qatar position:

send assistance... maybe?

Canada force position:

Sending 6 CF-18s from Quebec so they are most likely going to augment Corsica

GADDAFI FORCES

100 combat jets
30 helicopters
15 transports

30 SAM installations including 50 SA-6 missiles, unknown number SA-5
 

civfanatic

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Belgium:
6 F-16s
One Tripartite-class minehunter

Denmark:
6 F-16s
One transport aircraft

Greece:
4 F-16s
One frigate
One AWACS
Allow operations from Souda and Aktion AFB

Spain:
Allow operations from Rota and Moron AFB
Air and naval assets to be provided

Italy:
Allow operations from various bases
Air assets to be provided


Norway and the Netherlands have also announced their commitment to enforcing the no-fly zone, though the exact nature of their assistance is not yet known.
 

Armand2REP

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French Planes Fly Over Libya as Qaddafi Defies Cease-Fire Calls
March 19, 2011, 10:08 AM EDT

By Helene Fouquet and Leon Mangasarian

(For more on the Middle East turmoil, see EXTRA and MET.)

March 19 (Bloomberg) -- French military jets flew over Libya, ready to enforce an air-exclusion zone to halt Muammar Qaddafi's attacks on rebels, as Western leaders met in Paris to consider their next steps.

The planes were in the air not far from Libya this afternoon and were ready to carry out air strikes if there are orders from President Nicolas Sarkozy, a military official with knowledge of the preparations said on condition of anonymity.

Qaddafi's forces attacked the rebel stronghold of Benghazi today in defiance of international demands for a cease-fire, television stations reported. Al Jazeera cited the head of the rebel council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, as saying bombing raids took place in the eastern port city of 1 million people.

Strikes against Libya would mark the first military action by Western powers against an Arab government since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Oil prices have risen 11 percent since the start of the year as the Middle East protests that toppled the leader of Tunisia and Egypt turned violent, sparking government crackdowns from Libya to Yemen.

The United Nations Security Council authorized the use of air attacks and a no-fly zone over Libya two days ago to protect civilians. The French newspaper Le Figaro, citing an unidentified official, reported that air strikes might start once the Paris summit hosted by Sarkozy is over, with French, U.K., Canadian and Norwegian planes set to carry out the first attacks.

Pro-Qaddafi forces entered parts of Benghazi, Al Arabiya TV reported. Forces advancing included tanks, it said, adding that 11 fighters loyal to Qaddafi were killed. A BBC correspondent reported seeing government tanks on a bridge. TV channels showed footage of a fighter jet being shot down.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...libya-as-qaddafi-defies-cease-fire-calls.html
 

Armand2REP

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French officials report aircraft are conducting recon missions.
 

SHASH2K2

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I think they should be able to wipe of all air defenses and airports in 2-3 days. They should also provide air cover to ground troops to protect from shelling by Gaddafi forces. If not War is over and rebels will all be dead. A day or two game will be over .
 

Phenom

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French Jets are already over Libyan skies enforcing the no-fly zone.

You have to give credit to the french, they have shown real guts and leadership in this crisis.
 

SHASH2K2

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French Jets are already over Libyan skies enforcing the no-fly zone.

You have to give credit to the french, they have shown real guts and leadership in this crisis.
But still benghazi assualt is going on and rebels are running away. Airforce should also place role of bombing ground units belonging to Gaddafi .Its already too late and desperate mesures are needed to turn the tables in favour of rebels.
 

Armand2REP

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Sarkozy announces French aircraft are actively enforcing Benghazi no-fly zone and over all Libya.

Aircraft shot down over Benghazi

 
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Someoneforyou

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U.K. Defence Chief told to prepare to enforce UN resolution on Libya
UNITED KINGDOM - 18 MARCH 2011

Prime Minister David Cameron has said that he and Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox have now instructed the Chief of the Defence Staff to work urgently with our allies to put in place the appropriate military measures to enforce UN Resolution 1973 - including a no-fly zone over Libya.

The Prime Minister, speaking to the House of Commons today, said that Britain will deploy Tornados and Typhoons as well as air-to-air refuelling and surveillance aircraft. He said that preparations to deploy these aircraft have already started and in the coming hours they will move to airbases from where they can start to take the necessary action.

The Prime Minister's full statement follows:

With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on last night's UN Security Council Resolution.

Mr Speaker, over three weeks ago the people of Libya took to the streets in protest against Colonel Gaddafi and his regime.

There were hopeful signs that a better future awaited them, and that, like people elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, they were taking their destiny into their own hands.

Mr Speaker, far from meeting those aspirations, Colonel Gaddafi has responded by attacking his own people.

He has brought the full might of armed forces to bear on them, backed up by mercenaries.

The world has watched as he has brutally crushed his own people.

On the 23rd February the UN Secretary General cited the reported nature and scale of attacks on civilians as 'egregious violations of international and human rights law' and called on the Government of Libya to 'meet its responsibility to protect its people'.

He later said that more than 1,000 people had been killed and many more injured in Libya amidst credible and consistent reports of arrests, detention and torture.

Over the weekend of 26th and 27th February, at Britain's instigation, the UN Security Council agreed Resolution 1970.

This condemned Gaddafi's actions.

It imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on those at the top of his regime.

It demanded an end to the violence, access for international human rights monitors and the lifting of restrictions on the media.

And it referred the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court so its leaders should face the justice they deserve.

Mr Speaker, in my Statement to this House on 28th February, I set out the steps that we would take to implement these measures.

Our consistent approach has been to isolate the Gaddafi regime, deprive it of money, shrink its power and ensure that anyone responsible for abuses in Libya will be held to account.

I also told this House I believed contingency planning should be done for different scenarios including involving military assets, and that this should include plans for a no fly zone.

Mr Speaker, intervening in another country's affairs should not be undertaken save in quite exceptional circumstances.

That is why we've always been clear that preparing for eventualities which might include the use of force – including a no fly zone or other measures to stop humanitarian catastrophe – would require three tests to be met.

Demonstrable need. Regional Support. And a clear legal basis.

First, demonstrable need.

Gaddafi's regime has ignored the demand of the UN Security Council in Resolution 1970, that it stop the violence against the Libyan people.

His forces have attacked peaceful protesters, and are now preparing for a violent assault on a city of a million people that has a history dating back 2,500 years.

They have begun airstrikes in anticipation of what we expect to be a brutal attack using air, land and sea forces.

Gaddafi has publicly promised that every home will be searched and that there will be no mercy and no pity shown.

If we want any sense of what that might mean we only have to look at what happened in Zawiyah where tanks and heavy weaponry were used to smash through a heavily populated town with heavy loss of life.

And we don't have to guess what happens when he has subdued a population.

Human Rights Watch have catalogued the appalling human rights abuses that are being committed in Tripoli.

Now the people of Eastern Libya are faced with the same treatment.

Mr Speaker, that is the demonstrable need.

Second, regional support.

There must be a clear wish from the people of Libya and the wider region for international action.

It was the people of Libya, through the Transitional National Council, who were the first to call for protection from air attack through a No Fly Zone.

More recently, the Arab League have made the same demand.

Mr Speaker, it really has been remarkable how Arab leaders have come forward and condemned the actions of Gaddafi's government.

In recent days I have spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

And a number of Arab nations have made clear that they are willing to participate themselves in enforcing the Resolution.

This support for this goes far beyond the Arab world.

Last night all three African Members of the UN Security Council voted in favour of the Resolution.

Mr Speaker, the third and essential condition was that there should be a clear legal base.

That is why along with France, Lebanon and the United States we worked hard to draft appropriate language which could command the support of the international community.

Last night the United Nations Security Council agreed that Resolution.

Resolution 1973 'demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians'.

It establishes 'a ban on all flights' in the airspace of the Libya in order to help protect civilians"

And authorises Member States to take 'all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban'.

It also 'authorises Member States"¦acting nationally or through regional organisations and or arrangements, and acting in co-operation with the Secretary General, to take all necessary measures"¦to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack"¦including Benghazi'.

Mr Speaker the Resolution both authorises and sets the limits of our action.

Specifically, it excludes an occupation force of any form, on any part of Libyan territory, which was a clear agreement between all the sponsors of the Resolution, including the UK, and of course, also the Arab League.

I absolutely believe this is the right thing both to say and to do.

As our ambassador to the United Nations said, the central purpose of this Resolution is to end the violence, protect civilians, and allow the people of Libya to determine their own future, free from the brutality unleashed by the Gaddafi regime.

The Libyan population wants the same rights and freedoms that people across the Middle East and North Africa are demanding, and that are enshrined in the values of the United Nations Charter.

Resolution 1973 puts the weight of the Security Council squarely behind the Libyan people in defence of those values.

And our aims are entirely encapsulated by that Resolution.

Mr Speaker, demonstrable need, regional support and a clear legal base: the three criteria are now satisfied in full.

Now that the UN Security Council has reached its decision there is a responsibility on its members to respond.

And that is what Britain - with others - will now do.

Mr Speaker, the Attorney General has been consulted and the government is satisfied that there is a clear and unequivocal legal basis for the deployment of UK forces and military assets.

The Security Council has adopted Resolution 1973 as a measure to maintain or restore international peace and security under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The resolution specifically authorises notifying Member States to use all necessary measures to enforce a No Fly Zone and to protect civilians and civilian populated areas, including Benghazi.

The Cabinet has met this morning.

They have agreed that the UK will play its part.

Our forces will join an international operation to enforce the Resolution if Gaddafi fails to comply with its demand that he ends attacks on civilians.

The Defence Secretary and I have now instructed the Chief of the Defence Staff to work urgently with our allies to put in place the appropriate military measures to enforce the Resolution – including a No Fly Zone.

And I can tell the House that Britain will deploy Tornadoes and Typhoons as well as air-to-air refuelling and surveillance aircraft.

Preparations to deploy these aircraft have already started and in the coming hours they will move to airbases from where they can start to take the necessary action.

The government will table a substantive Motion for debate next week.

But I am sure that the House will accept that the situation requires us to move forward on the basis of the Security Council resolution immediately.

I am sure that all sides of the House call upon Colonel Gaddafi to respond immediately to the will of the international community and cease the violence against his own people.

I spoke to President Obama last night and to President Sarkozy this morning.

There will be a clear statement later today setting out what we now expect from Colonel Gaddafi.
Conclusion

Mr Speaker, any decision to put the men and women of our armed services into harms' way should only ever be taken when it's absolutely necessary.

But we simply can not stand back and let a dictator whose people have rejected him, kill his people indiscriminately.

To do so would send a chilling signal to others striving for democracy across the region.

And neither would it be in Britain's interests.

Let us be clear where our interests lie.

In this country we know what Colonel Gaddafi is capable of.

We should not forget his support for the biggest terrorist atrocity on British soil.

We simply can not have a situation where a failed pariah state festers on Europe's southern border.

This would potentially threaten our security, push people across the Mediterranean and create a more dangerous and uncertain world for Britain and for all our allies as well as for the people of Libya.

That is why today we are backing our words with action.

The choice we have made is to play our part in joint international action to enforce international law:

"¢ to uphold the will of the United Nations Security Council
"¢ to respond to the calls from Arab countries and the Arab League
"¢ and to do the right thing for the people of Libya who want greater freedoms, and above all for the UK's own national interest.

I pay tribute to the brave members of our armed forces who will be carrying out this work.

And I commend this Statement to the House.



File Photo: U.K. Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon



Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence
 

SHASH2K2

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Sarkozy announces French aircraft are actively enforcing Benghazi no-fly zone and over all Libya.

Aircraft shot down over Benghazi

Armand from another video about same aircraft it looks like that it was shot by ground troops. Also ground forces of rebels would need some close covers . May be a few attack helos will help . Any newas about that?
 
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Armand2REP

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But still benghazi assualt is going on and rebels are running away. Airforce should also place role of bombing ground units belonging to Gaddafi .Its already too late and desperate mesures are needed to turn the tables in favour of rebels.
Sarkozy announced French planes are "ready to engage tanks, artillery, and armoured vehicles around Benghazi.
 

Phenom

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Sarkozy did say the coalition would protect the civilians from attack by ground troops, and he pretty much demanded a immediate ceasefire. Let's see what happens.

btw, while the rebels were brave and enthusiastic, they seem to be pretty useless as a fighting force.
 

Phenom

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Armand from another video about same aircraft it looks like that it was shot by ground troops. Also ground forces of rebels would need some close covers . May be a few attack helos will help . Any newas about that?
I believe this aircraft was taken down by AAA belonging to the loyalist forces. The french need to be more careful so they can avoid any loss.
 

SHASH2K2

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Sarkozy did say the coalition would protect the civilians from attack by ground troops, and he pretty much demanded a immediate ceasefire. Let's see what happens.

btw, while the rebels were brave and enthusiastic, they seem to be pretty useless as a fighting force.
Any untrained gurilla fighter group will fight like this only. there is not enough arms and ammunition and all necessary weapons are also missing. No central leadership to command and guide them. what else is expected of them ? Hope NATO try to guide them properly .
 

Armand2REP

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I believe this aircraft was taken down by AAA belonging to the loyalist forces. The french need to be more careful so they can avoid any loss.
i didn't say France shot it down. I just said it was shot down. lol
 

pmaitra

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Video from Libya and commentary by Reuters:


Video of Attack on Beghazi: Cannot be independently confirmed, says Reuters.
Video of fighter plane shot down: It was possibly targetting Bengazi's military barracks according to Reuters.

Hence, any attacks by Gaddafi on opposition military forces and infrastructure might not come under the purview of 'protecting civilians' as alluded by the UN.

Please listen to the commentary.
 
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Armand2REP

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Any untrained gurilla fighter group will fight like this only. there is not enough arms and ammunition and all necessary weapons are also missing. No central leadership to command and guide them. what else is expected of them ? Hope NATO try to guide them properly .
The operation is going down in phases. 1st is to stop Gaddafi advance, second is to secure the East, 3rd is to bring in humanitarian aid, 4th is to hit Gaddafi hard enough in the longg run that rebels can regroup and take it on their own.
 

SHASH2K2

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Armand any chances of NATO Ground forces also participating on ground or it will be in Air support role only?
 

pmaitra

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^^ So far, no ground forces are planned. US will probably never get on the ground.
 

SHASH2K2

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^^ So far, no ground forces are planned. US will probably never get on the ground.
USA is not even contributing much to Air support as well. If there is any Involvement it will be form NATO not from USA . They dont want any bad publicity this time. Their hands are quite tied to contribute to this operation.
 

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