Latest in Libyan war
As the civil war in Libya rages on we are left wondering what is really going on? The facts are unclear, as always, and the stories coming out of the country are contradicting. Surprised? Why would you be? It's obvious, it's business as usual. In the past few weeks several different stories have been circulating in the press and in Washington. Let's get caught up shall we!
The CIVIL WAR in Libya is an ongoing armed conflict being fought between local rebels, those seeking to depose the country's ruler Qaddafi, and Pro-Qaddafi troops and followers. The situation began as a series of protests which Qaddafi's security services attempted to repress, beginning on 15 February 2011. Quickly, uprising had spread across the country and Qaddafi was struggling to retain control. Qaddafi responded with military force and censorship of media. The situation then escalated into armed conflict, with rebels establishing a coalition. In early March, Gaddafi's forces pushed eastward and re-took several coastal cities before attacking Benghazi. On March 19th, French air force fighter planes entered Libyan airspace to begin reconnaissance missions, and flew over Benghazi to prevent any attacks on the rebel-controlled city. The Italian air force planes also began operations over Libya at that time. In the late afternoon of the 19th, French jets attacked government armour southwest of Benghazi, destroying some tanks. US and British naval ships fired at least 114 Tomahawk cruise missiles at twenty Libyan air and ground defense systems. Three US B-52 stealth bombers reportedly flew non-stop from the United States to drop forty bombs on a major Libyan airfield. Twenty-five coalition ships, including three US submarines, began operating in the area. Coalition jets also carried out airstrikes against Libyan military installations and targets. On March 20, several storm shadow missiles were launched against Libyan targets by British jets and 19 US jets. At least seventy vehicles were destroyed, and loyalist ground troops sustained multiple casualties. Strikes also took place in Tripoli with a lot of the same results. On 25 March, NATO announced that it would be taking over the command of the no-fly-zone operations, after several days of heated debate over who should control operations in Libya. Almost everyday since, Coalition missles have been fired in the double digits daily and several other air strikes have been coinciding.
April 19, the the United Kingdom announced that it was sending military advisors to Libya to help the rebels improve their organization and communications, but not to train or arm them. The British government also supplied the rebels with telecommunications equipment and body armor. April 20, the US announced a $25 million aid package to the Libyan rebels, which consisted of fuel trucks and fuel bladders, ambulances, medical equipment, protective vests, binoculars, food, and non-secure radios with the first shipment arriving May 10th. Qatar supplied Milan anti-tank missiles, pickup trucks, and uniforms to the rebels. The Libyan government claimed that Qatar also sent 20 military trainers to Benghazi to train over 700 rebel fighters. Also, the US has asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. Their assistance would allow Washington to disclaim any military involvement in the supply chain even though the arms would be American and paid for by the Saudis. Saudi remains the only US Arab ally strategically placed and capable of furnishing weapons to the rebels of Libya.
President Obama predicts the Libyan leader would be forced to step down if NATO keeps up its military campaign with the U.S. playing a key role. Speaking at a news conference in London, Obama says the U.S.-led NATO coalition is engaged in "a slow, steady process in which we're able to wear down the regime forces." Obama also said, "I believe that we have built enough momentum that as long as we sustain the course we're on, he will step down." Later Obama not only called for more economic assistance for the movement during his meeting with European leaders but also expressed support for the efforts to kill dictator Qaddafi, a far departure from the original humanitarian aims expressed by the president earlier. Obama’s plan is to provide huge financial support for the new government taking shape in the region and now a deepening commitment to the eastern tribes in Libya’s civil war. Also part of his plan, Operation Libya is part of the broader military agenda in the Middle East and Central Asia which consists in gaining control and corporate ownership over more than sixty percent of the world's reserves of oil and natural gas, including oil and gas pipeline routes. At the end of the day one thing is clear, oil is the trophy of US-NATO led war.
As the civil war in Libya rages on we are left wondering what is really going on? The facts are unclear, as always, and the stories coming out of the country are contradicting. Surprised? Why would you be? It's obvious, it's business as usual. In the past few weeks several different stories have been circulating in the press and in Washington. Let's get caught up shall we!
The CIVIL WAR in Libya is an ongoing armed conflict being fought between local rebels, those seeking to depose the country's ruler Qaddafi, and Pro-Qaddafi troops and followers. The situation began as a series of protests which Qaddafi's security services attempted to repress, beginning on 15 February 2011. Quickly, uprising had spread across the country and Qaddafi was struggling to retain control. Qaddafi responded with military force and censorship of media. The situation then escalated into armed conflict, with rebels establishing a coalition. In early March, Gaddafi's forces pushed eastward and re-took several coastal cities before attacking Benghazi. On March 19th, French air force fighter planes entered Libyan airspace to begin reconnaissance missions, and flew over Benghazi to prevent any attacks on the rebel-controlled city. The Italian air force planes also began operations over Libya at that time. In the late afternoon of the 19th, French jets attacked government armour southwest of Benghazi, destroying some tanks. US and British naval ships fired at least 114 Tomahawk cruise missiles at twenty Libyan air and ground defense systems. Three US B-52 stealth bombers reportedly flew non-stop from the United States to drop forty bombs on a major Libyan airfield. Twenty-five coalition ships, including three US submarines, began operating in the area. Coalition jets also carried out airstrikes against Libyan military installations and targets. On March 20, several storm shadow missiles were launched against Libyan targets by British jets and 19 US jets. At least seventy vehicles were destroyed, and loyalist ground troops sustained multiple casualties. Strikes also took place in Tripoli with a lot of the same results. On 25 March, NATO announced that it would be taking over the command of the no-fly-zone operations, after several days of heated debate over who should control operations in Libya. Almost everyday since, Coalition missles have been fired in the double digits daily and several other air strikes have been coinciding.
April 19, the the United Kingdom announced that it was sending military advisors to Libya to help the rebels improve their organization and communications, but not to train or arm them. The British government also supplied the rebels with telecommunications equipment and body armor. April 20, the US announced a $25 million aid package to the Libyan rebels, which consisted of fuel trucks and fuel bladders, ambulances, medical equipment, protective vests, binoculars, food, and non-secure radios with the first shipment arriving May 10th. Qatar supplied Milan anti-tank missiles, pickup trucks, and uniforms to the rebels. The Libyan government claimed that Qatar also sent 20 military trainers to Benghazi to train over 700 rebel fighters. Also, the US has asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. Their assistance would allow Washington to disclaim any military involvement in the supply chain even though the arms would be American and paid for by the Saudis. Saudi remains the only US Arab ally strategically placed and capable of furnishing weapons to the rebels of Libya.
President Obama predicts the Libyan leader would be forced to step down if NATO keeps up its military campaign with the U.S. playing a key role. Speaking at a news conference in London, Obama says the U.S.-led NATO coalition is engaged in "a slow, steady process in which we're able to wear down the regime forces." Obama also said, "I believe that we have built enough momentum that as long as we sustain the course we're on, he will step down." Later Obama not only called for more economic assistance for the movement during his meeting with European leaders but also expressed support for the efforts to kill dictator Qaddafi, a far departure from the original humanitarian aims expressed by the president earlier. Obama’s plan is to provide huge financial support for the new government taking shape in the region and now a deepening commitment to the eastern tribes in Libya’s civil war. Also part of his plan, Operation Libya is part of the broader military agenda in the Middle East and Central Asia which consists in gaining control and corporate ownership over more than sixty percent of the world's reserves of oil and natural gas, including oil and gas pipeline routes. At the end of the day one thing is clear, oil is the trophy of US-NATO led war.
