Tripoli under air assault

20 March 2011 06:14 am - 42 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Explosions and anti-aircraft fire thundered in the skies above Tripoli early Sunday, but it was not clear whether they resulted from another round of cruise missile attacks by allies determined to stop Moammar Gadhafi's offensive against Libyan opposition forces.

CNN's Nic Robertson witnessed the development a few hours after nearly 1,000 people gathered at Gadhafi's palace in the capital. The crowd chanted, waved flags and shot off fireworks in support of the government.

A defiant Gadhafi said Libya will fight back against undeserved "naked aggression." His military claimed nearly 50 people, including, women, children and clerics, were killed in Saturday evening's attacks. There was no independent confirmation of that statement.

American, French and British military forces, convinced that Gadhafi was not adhering to a United Nations-mandated cease-fire, hammered Libyan military positions with missiles and fighter jets in the first phase of an operation that will include enforcement of a no-fly zone.

An eyewitness in Tripoli reported seeing signs of gunfire rising Sunday morning from the direction of nearby Mitiga Airport. The anti-Gadhafi activist said she heard "continuous gunshots" and at least two loud explosions. It was not clear if the airport was also being used as a military installation.

The eyewitness, who was not identified for security reasons, said she did not hear the sound of flying aircraft.

More than 110 Tomahawk missiles fired from American and British ships and submarines hit about 20 Libyan air and missile defense targets in western portions of the country, U.S. Vice Adm. William Gortney said at a Pentagon briefing.

The U.S. will conduct a damage assessment of the sites, which include SA-5 missiles and communications facilities. A senior U.S. military official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the cruise missiles, which fly close to the ground or sea at about 550 miles per hour, landed near Misrata and Tripoli.

The salvo, in an operation dubbed "Odyssey Dawn," was meant "to deny the Libyan regime from using force against its own people," said Gortney.

U.S. Navy photos showed flashes of light and smoke funnels as missiles soared from a destroyer into the night sky.

Earlier, French fighter jets deployed over Libya fired at a military vehicle Saturday, the first strike against Gadhafi's military forces, which earlier attacked the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

Prime Minister David Cameron said late Saturday that British forces also are in action over Libya. "What we are doing is necessary, it is legal and it is right," he said. "I believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people."

British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said the Royal Air Force deployed Tornado GR4 fast jets, which flew 3,000 miles from the United Kingdom and back, "making this the longest-range bombing mission conducted by the RAF since the (1982) Falklands conflict."

While there were no U.S. warplanes flying over Libya late Saturday, the coalition was softening Libyan positions before enforcing a no-fly zone, Gortney said.

The Libyan military, in a statement broadcast on state TV, said, "An enemy attacked the state on March 19th with rockets ... Those enemies killed 48 martyrs -- mostly women, children, and religious clerics. They left more than 150 injured. The majority of these attacks were on public areas, hospitals and schools. They frightened the children and women near those areas that were subject to this aggression."

Gadhafi, speaking early Sunday on Libyan state TV, said the U.N. charter provides for Libya's right to defend itself in a "war zone." Weapons depots will be opened, he said.
"All you people of the Islamic nations and Africa, and Latin America and Asia, stand with the Libyan people in its fight against this aggression," Gadhafi said.

Air attacks on several locations in Tripoli and Misrata have caused "real harm" to civilians, a Libyan government spokesman said.

An eyewitness in Misrata said Gadhafi's forces are targeting fuel and power stations in an effort to make citizens believe the damage is being done by coalition forces. The eyewitness, who was not identified for security reasons, said people celebrated allied airstrikes on loyalist positions in the city. CNN could not verify the account.
Shortly after the first missile attacks, U.S. President Barack Obama informed the American people of the efforts by a "broad coalition."

"The use of force is not our first choice," the president said from Brasilia, Brazil. "It is not a choice I make lightly. But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his own people that there will be no mercy."

Obama is planning for the U.S. portion of the military action in Libya to only last for a few days, according to a senior administration official, who was not authorized to speak about sensitive military matters.

"After that we'll take more of a supporting role," the senior official said.
Obama authorized U.S. military force from Brazil on what happened to be the eighth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

Coalition partners say Gadhafi has failed to adhere to a United Nations resolution that imposed the no-fly zone and ordered him to stop attacks on civilians.

"He's clearly been on the offensive," the senior U.S. military official said of Gadhafi. "He said that he was going to do a cease-fire and he continued to move his forces into Benghazi."

Earlier Saturday, Gadhafi issued defiant messages to international powers.

"I have all the Libyan people with me and I'm prepared to die. And they are prepared to die for me. Men, women and even children," Gadhafi said in a letter addressed to Obama and read to reporters by a government spokesman in Tripoli.

Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Gortney used the term "unique capabilities" to describe the U.S. part of the effort. Officials have said American military forces are meant to augment Arab, European and other Western troops.

In the next few days, U.S. military officials expect to hand over control to a coalition commander. Canada and Italy also are part of the coalition.

"Our air force will oppose any aggression by Colonel Gadhafi against the population of Benghazi," said French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking after a top-level meeting in Paris over the Libyan crisis.

The international meeting -- which included Western and Arab partners -- focused on how to take on a Libyan government bent on destroying the fledgling opposition movement under the U.N. resolution authorizing force to protect civilians against the Gadhafi government.

Rebel forces in Benghazi used a captured army tank as a victory symbol, CNN's Arwa Damon reported.

Earlier Saturday, incoming artillery rounds landed inside Benghazi, and pro-Gadhafi tanks rolled into the town firing rounds, witnesses said.

A flaming fighter jet plummeted from the sky, nose-diving to the ground. Khaled el-Sayeh, the opposition military spokesman, said th plane was an old MiG-23 that belonged to the rebels.

As night fell over Benghazi on Saturday, the city became quiet and calm. While plumes of smoke could be spotted, the pro-Gadhafi tanks seen earlier were not in sight. El-Sayeh told CNN that "tens" had been killed in Benghazi on Saturday.

He said Gadhafi forces had withdrawn from the city and that they were positioned 50 kilometers (31 miles) outside Benghazi. CNN could not independently verify those details.

Gadhafi -- in a separate letter addressed to Sarkozy, Cameron and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon -- called the U.N. moves "invalid" because the resolution does not permit intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.

Violence has raged in Libya following protests calling for democracy and freedom and demanding an end to Gadhafi's almost 42-year-long rule. It's a conflict spurred by anti-government protest and resulting regime violence against civilians -- which the U.N. resolution cites as "outrageous" and Sarkozy calls "murderous madness." (CNN)

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Comments - 42

Louisa Sunday, 20 March 2011 10:09 AM

Why? Is is because your dream of Eelam was shatteredd into smithereens. Tough luck.

matta Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:27 AM

US and allies think bringing under control the oil supply under uis the only way to sustain their supremacy over China.It seems they are succeeding.Egypt is down and Libya is around the corner..............

Cameron Nicolos Obam Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:30 AM

Naduth Hamuduruwage Baduth Hamuduruwange.

Jilmart Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:01 AM

You go and live in Libya - be loyal to another leader who kills own countrymen

Buddika Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:02 AM

good lesson SL Rajapakshes as well !

Jilmart Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:03 AM

al-Gaddafi too has loyalist like you

Ranjith Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:10 AM

Better you go and live in this great democracy Libya.

FRANNY Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:00 AM

What goes up must come down !! someone is watching

JUSTICE Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:40 AM

Just a simple answer to the local boy... he is like your MR.

ranjana Sunday, 20 March 2011 09:32 AM

Good move by UN to save the people in Libiya ......well done UN

Doha Boy Sunday, 20 March 2011 10:02 AM

don't talk blindly my friend.... This operation by UN is to safeguard the libiyans..

matta Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:15 AM

Await the UN panel report soon. Strategies will go for six

podda Sunday, 20 March 2011 05:59 PM

Yes.. Very good.. But why didn't they start off with Israel?

Jehan Monday, 21 March 2011 01:43 AM

This is Clearly POLITICAL MANIPULATION, If USA does not want a regime to thrive they will attack it both diplomatically and Militarily If USA and others are SOOOOO concerned about Civilian Casualities , Why they do not take an ACTION AGAINST ISRAEL, Simple reason is Israel is a worshiper to west.

Brenan Monday, 21 March 2011 02:26 AM

I agree but however..at the rate its going...rusia and US will..

karu Monday, 21 March 2011 03:59 AM

This may be the start of 3rc World War. Those who took weapons with a bad desire, will be destroyed by them selves.

Ryan Monday, 21 March 2011 04:24 AM

Start with USA, UK , France

Athula Monday, 21 March 2011 07:23 AM

what countries will be accused of War crimes later if any .

johan Monday, 21 March 2011 10:12 AM

Democracy is not prevailed, this will be the fate of any
country and government.

Good decision by western powers

Sunil Lanka Monday, 21 March 2011 02:30 PM

why these international organisations with west trying harm the few genuine friends of Sri Lanka

Sanje Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:43 AM

He kills his country people just to stay in power.

jilmart Sunday, 20 March 2011 06:38 AM

The Dates of Dictators are numbered! please take a cue!

Jilmart malli Sunday, 20 March 2011 06:41 AM

Aiyo mage computer skills aparade!

local boy Sunday, 20 March 2011 06:47 AM

well, on which ground you say gadaffi is a dictator? just because he rules over 40 years? US need oil, that's all

hrm Sunday, 20 March 2011 06:56 AM

u have to be there when the bombs fell and kill civilians

Godaya Sunday, 20 March 2011 06:51 AM

Look at the speed at which US & allies act on Liybya, while completely turning a blind eye on Yemen and Bahrain where their puppet rulers brutally kill innocent civilians.

Darwin Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:22 AM

Get the day lights out of this dictator. He is a crazy man ready to kill anyone to kill on to power. Just see the state of the people who are living in a oil rich country.

Appuhamy Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:12 AM

Not only Libya..there are few countries have one man show...Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Iran, Cuba etc...in those countries people are suppressed of their freedom.

Konde bendapu china Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:13 AM

Gadaffi rule 40 years but he developed that country well which west doesn't like and they after his oil ,So called collision don t what kind of Human rights are they respecting in there back yard

Prasa Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:23 AM

This is exactly what Miliband &co wanted to do in SL. if not for the strategic partnerships MR&co made with China and Russia, SL wud've faced the same situ. Instead of 7 star hotels, Army HQ premises will be having pot holes from UK bombs.

Hope all MR bashers will now start appreciating the incredible strategic leadership MR, Gota & co provided to save our beloved country.

Navin Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:24 AM

Correction: only if they go against uncle Sam.

Chamalka Sunday, 20 March 2011 06:29 AM

Teach all Dictators a lesson .. well done

sanjeayan Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:43 AM

and srilanka

anu Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:44 AM

3 terrorist nations attacked Libya !!!

Commonsense Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:56 AM

Human rights?

Chamalka Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:50 AM

Didn't u eat Kiribath when somewhat similar happened here before few years ago ???

Darwin Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:02 AM

Waiting for the statement from the Government of Sri Lanka.

Ahmad Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:05 AM

We would like to see an end to 40 year rule of mentally retarded person. Libyans will not allow Gaddafi to destroy country and Islam.

Darwin Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:14 AM

The war is spearheaded by the UK and USA. The leaders of these two nations were toddlers when Gadhafi grabbed power in Libya. It is a confrontation of youth and a aging man.

matta Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:23 AM

Ohme ohme thamai my dear Godaya.Thats the world reality

NAL Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:24 AM

US/EU wanted a similar thing in SL. But, due to the games played by Russia, China and India, they couldn't do that.

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Tripoli under air assault

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