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Libya's Defense Systems Targeted In First Phase Of Operation Odyssey Dawn

Paresh Dave |
March 19, 2011 | 2:39 p.m. PDT

Deputy Editor

 USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.
USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.

U.S. and British warships fired Tomahawk missiles at Libyan defense installations as French and British fighter jets attacked from the air, beginning a bombardment Saturday morning to debilitate the air force of Col. Muammar Gaddafi.

The results of the first phase of Operation Odyssey Dawn, as the U.S. is calling it, won't be known until the sun rises in Libya. One U.S. official told Reuters early Sunday in Libya that the missile strikes had "severely disabled" Gaddafi's anti-aircraft defenses.

Various news agencies reported that sounds of bombs and gunfire, likely from anti-government and pro-government forces within Libya, could be heard early Sunday morning in Triploli--the country's capital.

The first airstrikes were met with condemnation from the Libyan government and cheers from Libyan rebels. Libyan officials painted the attacks as "barbaric" while international leaders said this was the strongest signal available to show Gaddafi they were serious in their demands that he stop attacking innocent civlians with airstrikes. In the U.S., President Barack Obama emphasized that the American involvement would be limited, though the country is leading the operation's first phase.

The intervention in Libya marks the largest military operation in the Middle East since the U.S. invaded Iraq exactly eight years ago this weekend.

Libyan state television claimed that 48 people were killed and another 150 wounded by the coalition's attack on Sunday.

"Instead of sending fact-finding missions to find out what is really happening, some countries have elected for an aggression against Libya," said Mohammad al-Zawi, secetary-general of the Libyan Parliament. "This aggression will not weaken our spirit."

In his own statement, Gaddafi threatened to retaliate and said he would open Libya's arms depots so everyone could defend themselves against the U.N.-backed "colonial crusade."

The U.S. is temporarily leading the operation, but U.S. officials said the country's engagement would be a matter of days not weeks. France, Great Britain, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Canada and Italy are also involved.

United Arab Emirates plans to send 24 aircraft to enforce the no-fly zone in the coming days. Qatar plans to send four and six planes of its own once the U.S. and British forces eliminate Libya's ability to shoot down those planes.

Turkey, which had opposed intevening in Libya, said in a statement that it was preparing to make a necessary and appropriate contribution to enforce the U.N. resolution. The intervention still does not have the support of the African Union, whose member countries have received millions of dollars in aid from Gaddafi. The union called for an immediate attack to the coalition attacks.

French fighter jets entered Libyan airspace Saturday to enforce a no-fly zone imposed by the United Nations and to defend the Libyan people against Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi’s forces. French officials denied reports that one of its jets had been shot down. The jets shot tanks across the country.

USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Navy)
USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Navy)
Between the U.S., British and French attacks, Libyan state television reported that missiles struck in Zuwara, Tripoli, Misurata, Sirte and Benghazi.

American and British forces shot 110 Tomahawk missiles toward 20 air-defense targets around Tripoli and Misurata. The targets include areas where long-range defense missiles were held, radar sites and communications centers. (SEE PICTURES HERE) Fox News commentator and former Lt. Col. Oliver North claimed that British and French special forces were already on the ground in Libya.

The U.S. has made clear the operation enforcing U.N. resolution 1973 is aimed at protecting innocent civilians from being killed by the Gaddafi's forces not forcing Gaddafi out of power. President Barack Obama has vowed not to use any ground troops in the effort.

Libyan rebels initially gained an upperhand in their effort to oust Gaddafi. Moving from the east to the west along Libya's northern coast, they captured several cities that had been under Gaddafi's control. But in recent days, Gaddafi's forces pummeled them, leaving them in control of basically only one city--Benghazi.



 

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