Updated 4:15 p.m. edt
Another senior Libyan government official defected today to Italy, while there was a rare explosion in the de facto rebel capital of Benghazi.
Libya's oil minister Shukri Ghanem became the latest member of Moammar Gadhafi's cabinet to defect, pledging his loyalty to the rebel Transitional National Council, the Italian news agency reported. The announcement came just days after more than 120 Libyan military, including at least five generals, defected.
In Benghazi, a car bomb exploded outside the hotel where diplomats stay when they meet with TNC officials. No one was hurt, according to the Associated Press.
end update
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NATO announced today it is extending the Libyan campaign by three months, driving the point home with at least a half-dozen air strikes overnight in Tripoli.
"NATO and partners have just decided to extend our mission for Libya for another 90 days. This decision sends a clear message to the Qadhafi regime: We are determined to continue our operation to protect the people of Libya. We will sustain our efforts to fulfil the United Nations mandate. We will keep up the pressure to see it through," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced.
"Our decision also sends a clear message to the people of Libya: NATO, our partners, the whole international community, stand with you. We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future. And that day is getting closer," Rasmussen said.
A spokesman for Moammar Gadhafi repeated that the Libyan dictator will not step down.
In Britain, meanwhile, officials have been scrambling to explain an Al Jazeera video that captured about a half-dozen Western-looking military advisers mingling with the rebel army. Those boots on the ground belong to mercenary former British SAS officers, anonymous sources have been cited as saying by the UK press.
Britain, France and other Nato countries are supplying the mercs with communications equipment to work as target-spotters for air strikes and coordinators with rebel forces when British Apache and French Tiger attack helicopters are deployed around around Misrata this week, The Guardian of London reported.
Showing posts with label no-fly zone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label no-fly zone. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Gadhafi's Son Dies in Airstrike
The youngest son of Moammar Gadhafi, Saif al-Arab Gadhafi, was killed in a NATO airstrike today, a spokesman for the regime said.
Moammar Gadhafi and his wife were in the house when it was targeted, according to Gadhafi spokesman Mussa Ibrahim.
Three grandchildren were also killed in the strike, Ibrahim said.
The Libyan dictator's late son, Saif al-Arab, 29, was a civilian who had studied in Germany, Ibrahim said.
There was no immediate response from NATO or the White House. The strike came during the alliance's promised stepped up air campaign, amid Gadhafi's refusal to stop the attacks on civilians in Misurata and elsewhere. The despot has made persistent threats for more attacks.
Moammar Gadhafi and his wife were in the house when it was targeted, according to Gadhafi spokesman Mussa Ibrahim.
Three grandchildren were also killed in the strike, Ibrahim said.
The Libyan dictator's late son, Saif al-Arab, 29, was a civilian who had studied in Germany, Ibrahim said.
There was no immediate response from NATO or the White House. The strike came during the alliance's promised stepped up air campaign, amid Gadhafi's refusal to stop the attacks on civilians in Misurata and elsewhere. The despot has made persistent threats for more attacks.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
NATO Steps it Up in Libya; Russians Irked (Yawn)
Call it the big yawn of the Libya campaign.
Moscow is charging that NATO and the Gulf allies have overstepped the bounds of the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing an air campaign to prevent further killings by forces under orders from Moammar Gadhafi. Russia abstained from voting on the resolution last month.
The Interfax news agency reported overnight that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opposes more military action against Gadhafi and will not support another UN resolution that would step up the campaign against the Libyan dictator.
The Russian government's latest round of squawking was apparently triggered by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's decision to contribute warplanes to the NATO-led campaign. Until now Italy has played a key support role, including allowing the use of its air bases to launch attacks and surveillance missions.
NATO is planning to increase attacks on Gadhafi's command and control facilities as well as palaces, The New York Times is reporting today.
Moscow is charging that NATO and the Gulf allies have overstepped the bounds of the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing an air campaign to prevent further killings by forces under orders from Moammar Gadhafi. Russia abstained from voting on the resolution last month.
The Interfax news agency reported overnight that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opposes more military action against Gadhafi and will not support another UN resolution that would step up the campaign against the Libyan dictator.
The Russian government's latest round of squawking was apparently triggered by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's decision to contribute warplanes to the NATO-led campaign. Until now Italy has played a key support role, including allowing the use of its air bases to launch attacks and surveillance missions.
NATO is planning to increase attacks on Gadhafi's command and control facilities as well as palaces, The New York Times is reporting today.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
NATO Chief Asks for More Planes
Updated 6:15 p.m. est
The Emir of Qatar says his oil state is ready to provide weapons to the Libyan rebels if they ask -- and they have.
"If they will ask for weapons we are goiing to provide them," Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer today. "Of course they asked, but it will take some time, some training."
There are reports that Qatar, the first state to recognize the rebels' Transition National Council as a legitimate government, has already funneled French-made anti-tank weapons to the rebels. The emir did not deny those reports.
President Obama praised the Qatari leader for helping the rebels.
"We would not have been able I think to shape the kind of broad-based international coalition that includes not only our NATO members but also includes Arab states without the Emir’s leadership. He is motivated by a belief that the Libyan people should have the rights and freedoms of all people," Obama said after meeting with the emir at the White House.
"And as a consequence, Qatar is not only supportive diplomatically but is also supportive militarily, and we are very appreciative of the outstanding work of that the Qataris have done side by side with the other international," Obama added.
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says he would like to use the frozen $33 billion of Moammar Gadhafi's money to pay for the air campaign and Naval blockade to cover the more than $600 million the U.S. has spent so far on Libya.
"Not only the United States should do this, NATO should do it. France should do it. The countries that are involved there on the ground and in the air - yes. The answer is yes," Reid said ion another interview with CNN (Wolf scored big guests on The Situation Room today).
The idea of Arab oil to pay for American warfare is not new: the Bush administration argued Iraqi crude would help finance the war there. Now, after spending $1 trillion to depose Saddam Hussein, that claim turned out to be just another one of the whoppers the Bushies used to sell that war to the American people.
"I for a long time advocated and its been lost in the shuffle that the wealth of Iraq, and it's a wealthy country, they should with their oil resources be paying us back for what we've done. Well, I've tried. They should," Reid said.
"What people don't realize is Iraq is still making a lot of money. And we should get part of it," Reid added.
It is a delicious idea, but deducting military costs from Gadhafi's frozen assets may be unseemly in the eyes of the world. Now, if the rebels want to give the U.S. and allies some gratuity for the military assistance once they get Gadhafi's ill-gotten booty, that may be a palatable alternative.
end update
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen asked the alliance's foreign ministers today in Berlin for "a few more" attack aircraft for the mission in Libya.
So far there are no offers to send more jets, including from the U.S., which has done more than the lion's share of work in attacking Moammar Gadhafi's forces and defenses.
"To avoid civilian casualties we need very sophisticated equipment so we need a few more precision fighter ground-attack aircraft for air-to-ground missions," Rassmussen said. "I am confident that nations will step up to the plate."
The Emir of Qatar says his oil state is ready to provide weapons to the Libyan rebels if they ask -- and they have.
"If they will ask for weapons we are goiing to provide them," Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer today. "Of course they asked, but it will take some time, some training."
There are reports that Qatar, the first state to recognize the rebels' Transition National Council as a legitimate government, has already funneled French-made anti-tank weapons to the rebels. The emir did not deny those reports.
President Obama praised the Qatari leader for helping the rebels.
"We would not have been able I think to shape the kind of broad-based international coalition that includes not only our NATO members but also includes Arab states without the Emir’s leadership. He is motivated by a belief that the Libyan people should have the rights and freedoms of all people," Obama said after meeting with the emir at the White House.
"And as a consequence, Qatar is not only supportive diplomatically but is also supportive militarily, and we are very appreciative of the outstanding work of that the Qataris have done side by side with the other international," Obama added.
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says he would like to use the frozen $33 billion of Moammar Gadhafi's money to pay for the air campaign and Naval blockade to cover the more than $600 million the U.S. has spent so far on Libya.
"Not only the United States should do this, NATO should do it. France should do it. The countries that are involved there on the ground and in the air - yes. The answer is yes," Reid said ion another interview with CNN (Wolf scored big guests on The Situation Room today).
The idea of Arab oil to pay for American warfare is not new: the Bush administration argued Iraqi crude would help finance the war there. Now, after spending $1 trillion to depose Saddam Hussein, that claim turned out to be just another one of the whoppers the Bushies used to sell that war to the American people.
"I for a long time advocated and its been lost in the shuffle that the wealth of Iraq, and it's a wealthy country, they should with their oil resources be paying us back for what we've done. Well, I've tried. They should," Reid said.
"What people don't realize is Iraq is still making a lot of money. And we should get part of it," Reid added.
It is a delicious idea, but deducting military costs from Gadhafi's frozen assets may be unseemly in the eyes of the world. Now, if the rebels want to give the U.S. and allies some gratuity for the military assistance once they get Gadhafi's ill-gotten booty, that may be a palatable alternative.
end update
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen asked the alliance's foreign ministers today in Berlin for "a few more" attack aircraft for the mission in Libya.
So far there are no offers to send more jets, including from the U.S., which has done more than the lion's share of work in attacking Moammar Gadhafi's forces and defenses.
"To avoid civilian casualties we need very sophisticated equipment so we need a few more precision fighter ground-attack aircraft for air-to-ground missions," Rassmussen said. "I am confident that nations will step up to the plate."
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Raw Video: Amazing Footage of F-16 Mid-Air Refueling
Another bird's-eye look at action above the Libya no-fly zone from RT.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
AC-130s & A-10s Still Available To NATO, But Stalemate Looms
The U.S. is providing NATO quick access AC-130's with powerful precision-firing canons, but the close-in air support is so far not enough to defeat Moammar Gadhafi's troops who hide near mosques and schools, the top U.S. commander told a congressional panel today.
A-10 tank-busters are also available to NATO, but they have to be requested in a process that takes about a day to get the low-flying jets into action, Gen. Carter Ham, commander of the U.S. Africa Command, said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. U.S. planes fly 15 percent of NATO missions since handing off the command to NATO.
"The AC-130, as a very precise and specialized capability, remain available. They were not available when I began, just because of the transit time to get those aircraft into theater. And they are available," Ham said.
"The A-10s, similarly, were not available when I began -- when U.S. AFRICOM began the operation; became available, and with good effect. And they are available, but NATO must request the A-10 availability," he said.
Ham had praise for NATO's handling of Libya since taking command, but acknowledged that the chance of stalemate between rebels and Gadhafi's forces is higher now than when AFRICOM was running the warfare. Changing tactics by Gadhafi's forces have made it more difficult for NATO to strike and has contributed to friendly fire casualties, including a report today of four more rebel deaths from air strikes.
"What has changed dramatically has been the tactics applied by the regime forces where they have shifted from their traditional use of conventional armored equipment which was easily identifiable as regime forces and therefore easily targeted. They now operate largely on civilian vehicles. And when those vehicles are intermixed with the opposition forces, it's increasingly difficult to discern which is which," Ham detailed.
"Secondly, we have seen an increased tactic by the regime forces to put their military vehicles adjacent to civilian aspects -- so mosques, schools, hospitals, civilian areas which would result in significant civilian casualties through the strike of those assets. So I would say and then a third factor... would be frankly just the weather. We went through a period of a few days significantly impeded the ability to collect and to strike," he explained.
NATO has been a punching bag by political and military rebel leaders, as well as defectors from the Gadhafi government.
“It was good when military action was being led by the U.S., U.K. and France, but since NATO took over, it is a mess, and there is no real will to liberate Libya from the hardships Qaddafi troops are putting the Libyan people in,” former Libyan Energy Minister Omar Fathi bin Shatwan told Bloomberg. The ex-Gadhafi oil minister, who fled to Malta on a fishing boat April 1, said the situation in Misrata is dire for the rebels and civilians.
Ham said he still is not ready to arm those distraught rebels with superior arms that could end up in the hands of anti-Western militants.
"Not without a better understanding of exactly who the opposition force is," Ham said of arming the rebels. "My recommendation would be we should know more about who they are before we make any determination to arm them."
The AFRICOM commander still opposes putting U.S. troops on the ground, but admitted an international ground force may be needed to intervene, even if Gadhafi leaves.
"I think that is certainly one potential outcome of this, an international force of some composition intervening between the regime and the opposition forces," Ham said.
A-10 tank-busters are also available to NATO, but they have to be requested in a process that takes about a day to get the low-flying jets into action, Gen. Carter Ham, commander of the U.S. Africa Command, said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. U.S. planes fly 15 percent of NATO missions since handing off the command to NATO.
"The AC-130, as a very precise and specialized capability, remain available. They were not available when I began, just because of the transit time to get those aircraft into theater. And they are available," Ham said.
"The A-10s, similarly, were not available when I began -- when U.S. AFRICOM began the operation; became available, and with good effect. And they are available, but NATO must request the A-10 availability," he said.
Ham had praise for NATO's handling of Libya since taking command, but acknowledged that the chance of stalemate between rebels and Gadhafi's forces is higher now than when AFRICOM was running the warfare. Changing tactics by Gadhafi's forces have made it more difficult for NATO to strike and has contributed to friendly fire casualties, including a report today of four more rebel deaths from air strikes.
"What has changed dramatically has been the tactics applied by the regime forces where they have shifted from their traditional use of conventional armored equipment which was easily identifiable as regime forces and therefore easily targeted. They now operate largely on civilian vehicles. And when those vehicles are intermixed with the opposition forces, it's increasingly difficult to discern which is which," Ham detailed.
"Secondly, we have seen an increased tactic by the regime forces to put their military vehicles adjacent to civilian aspects -- so mosques, schools, hospitals, civilian areas which would result in significant civilian casualties through the strike of those assets. So I would say and then a third factor... would be frankly just the weather. We went through a period of a few days significantly impeded the ability to collect and to strike," he explained.
NATO has been a punching bag by political and military rebel leaders, as well as defectors from the Gadhafi government.
“It was good when military action was being led by the U.S., U.K. and France, but since NATO took over, it is a mess, and there is no real will to liberate Libya from the hardships Qaddafi troops are putting the Libyan people in,” former Libyan Energy Minister Omar Fathi bin Shatwan told Bloomberg. The ex-Gadhafi oil minister, who fled to Malta on a fishing boat April 1, said the situation in Misrata is dire for the rebels and civilians.
Ham said he still is not ready to arm those distraught rebels with superior arms that could end up in the hands of anti-Western militants.
"Not without a better understanding of exactly who the opposition force is," Ham said of arming the rebels. "My recommendation would be we should know more about who they are before we make any determination to arm them."
The AFRICOM commander still opposes putting U.S. troops on the ground, but admitted an international ground force may be needed to intervene, even if Gadhafi leaves.
"I think that is certainly one potential outcome of this, an international force of some composition intervening between the regime and the opposition forces," Ham said.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Raw Video: French Mirage Refueling Over Libya
Official French government video posted by our colleagues at RT.
Rebels Stall; U.S. Still in Fight; Sarkozy's War
There is plenty of diplomatic activity and Libyan rebels are getting more organized, but Brega remains a stalemate in the sand as the rebels and the forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi continue to push back and oath in the eastern Libyan oil town.
The U.S. agreed to extend its role in the Libya mission through today because of inclement weather the last few days, suggesting there were still some targets that require "unique capabilities." Available aircraft include Air Force AC-130 gunships, A-10 Thunderbolts and Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers -- all powerful weapons used in close-in air support.
Ex-President Bill Clinton tells ABC the U.S. should consider arming the rebels.
Newsweek takes a look at how French President Nicolas Sarkozy pushed for action in Libya. French trainers are in Eastern Libya, Newsweek says.
More on Sarkozy and Bernard-Henri Levy, the French writer and philosopher who played a hands-on role in pressing France and the West to back the rebels, from The New York Times.
The Daily calls the rebels' training "Warfare 101"
The Washington Post takes note of who's who in the international coalition at this point.
Libyan envoy asks for ceasefire in Greece, but offers nothing new in return, Al Jazeera reports.
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi is proposing a transition to constitutional democracy in Libya under his direction, reports The New York Times.
Misurata wounded on Turkish relief ship speak of brutal fighting, and their resolve, CNN reports.
The U.S. agreed to extend its role in the Libya mission through today because of inclement weather the last few days, suggesting there were still some targets that require "unique capabilities." Available aircraft include Air Force AC-130 gunships, A-10 Thunderbolts and Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers -- all powerful weapons used in close-in air support.
Ex-President Bill Clinton tells ABC the U.S. should consider arming the rebels.
Newsweek takes a look at how French President Nicolas Sarkozy pushed for action in Libya. French trainers are in Eastern Libya, Newsweek says.
More on Sarkozy and Bernard-Henri Levy, the French writer and philosopher who played a hands-on role in pressing France and the West to back the rebels, from The New York Times.
The Daily calls the rebels' training "Warfare 101"
The Washington Post takes note of who's who in the international coalition at this point.
Libyan envoy asks for ceasefire in Greece, but offers nothing new in return, Al Jazeera reports.
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi is proposing a transition to constitutional democracy in Libya under his direction, reports The New York Times.
Misurata wounded on Turkish relief ship speak of brutal fighting, and their resolve, CNN reports.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Raw Video: F-16s & A-10s Used in Libya Mission
Finally found some A-10 tank-killer footage from RT-- just in time for the U.S. to end its Libya sorties reportedly tomorrow. This was shot at Aviano Air Base in Italy.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Rebels Battle for Brega -- Again
The ragtag band of Libyan rebels in the East are battling in Brega, struggling today to try not to cede anymore of its captured oil towns along the Mediterranean to advancing troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.
Armed with only with machine guns, rocket-propelled grade launchers and mortars, the 1,000 or so rebels sought to stave off the larger, armor-fortified loyalist forces who have already re-taken the oil patch towns of Ras Lanuf, Bin Jawad and Es Sider.
The rebels, who have been in retreat since Monday after a more than 300-mile push forward over the weekend, contend the way they can hold their ground is with air cover from NATO and its partners. Coalition airstrikes cleared the path for the weekend offensive by the rebels.
"We want more to bring a speedy end to this," Col. Ahmed Omar Bani, an opposition spokesman, told CNN. "A strike is not a strike unless it kills," he said.
NATO warplanes have been hampered by sandstorms and other lousy weather in eastern Libya, but a diplomatic source said late last night there is some support for the coalition resuming those airstrikes. But with NATO now in charge, the next round of airstrikes will likely be led by the French and British.
“We will not be taking an active part in strike activities and believe our allies can sustain this for some period of time,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the House Armed Services Committee today.
Even with CIA and British MI6 operatives on the ground, so far the rebel force is a poorly armed and undisciplined army that has shown few signs of understanding military tactic, exports have said. NBC's Richard Engel reported he has seen rebels fire a mortar dangerously without being anchored, rocket launchers aimed backwards and fighters who do not know how to even load their weapons.
"It's pretty much a pick-up ballgame," Gates said, with the rebels devoid of "command and control."
On the political front, NATO and the White House were hoping yesterday's political defection by Gadhafi's foreign minister and ex-intelligence chief, Musa Kusa, was a signal that the regime is on its way to toppling. Kusa is in London, where he is said to be providing valuable information to the coalition partners.
“This is a major defection and a significant blow to the Gaddafi regime. Moussa Kusa is one of Gaddafi’s most trusted aides who can help provide critical intelligence about Gaddafi’s current state of mind and military plans. It also demonstrates that the people around Gaddafi understand his regime is in disarray," said Tommy Vietor, White House National Security Council spokesman.
"As the President said the other night, ‘it should be clear to those around Gaddafi, and to every Libyan, that history is not on his side.’ The people around Gaddafi have to choose whether to place their bet on a regime that has lost all legitimacy and face grave consequences, or get on the right side of history. Moussa Kusa’s decision shows which way the wind is blowing in Tripoli,” Vietor added.
The U.S. is waiting to learn more about the rebels before they start handing them more sophisticated weapons. Peter Bergen, one of the top terrorism experts in the world, wrote today that he does not believe the rebel force is loaded with Al Qaeda operatives, but there is reason to be concerned about that changing.
Armed with only with machine guns, rocket-propelled grade launchers and mortars, the 1,000 or so rebels sought to stave off the larger, armor-fortified loyalist forces who have already re-taken the oil patch towns of Ras Lanuf, Bin Jawad and Es Sider.
The rebels, who have been in retreat since Monday after a more than 300-mile push forward over the weekend, contend the way they can hold their ground is with air cover from NATO and its partners. Coalition airstrikes cleared the path for the weekend offensive by the rebels.
"We want more to bring a speedy end to this," Col. Ahmed Omar Bani, an opposition spokesman, told CNN. "A strike is not a strike unless it kills," he said.
NATO warplanes have been hampered by sandstorms and other lousy weather in eastern Libya, but a diplomatic source said late last night there is some support for the coalition resuming those airstrikes. But with NATO now in charge, the next round of airstrikes will likely be led by the French and British.
“We will not be taking an active part in strike activities and believe our allies can sustain this for some period of time,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the House Armed Services Committee today.
Even with CIA and British MI6 operatives on the ground, so far the rebel force is a poorly armed and undisciplined army that has shown few signs of understanding military tactic, exports have said. NBC's Richard Engel reported he has seen rebels fire a mortar dangerously without being anchored, rocket launchers aimed backwards and fighters who do not know how to even load their weapons.
"It's pretty much a pick-up ballgame," Gates said, with the rebels devoid of "command and control."
On the political front, NATO and the White House were hoping yesterday's political defection by Gadhafi's foreign minister and ex-intelligence chief, Musa Kusa, was a signal that the regime is on its way to toppling. Kusa is in London, where he is said to be providing valuable information to the coalition partners.
“This is a major defection and a significant blow to the Gaddafi regime. Moussa Kusa is one of Gaddafi’s most trusted aides who can help provide critical intelligence about Gaddafi’s current state of mind and military plans. It also demonstrates that the people around Gaddafi understand his regime is in disarray," said Tommy Vietor, White House National Security Council spokesman.
"As the President said the other night, ‘it should be clear to those around Gaddafi, and to every Libyan, that history is not on his side.’ The people around Gaddafi have to choose whether to place their bet on a regime that has lost all legitimacy and face grave consequences, or get on the right side of history. Moussa Kusa’s decision shows which way the wind is blowing in Tripoli,” Vietor added.
The U.S. is waiting to learn more about the rebels before they start handing them more sophisticated weapons. Peter Bergen, one of the top terrorism experts in the world, wrote today that he does not believe the rebel force is loaded with Al Qaeda operatives, but there is reason to be concerned about that changing.
U.S. Hands NATO Libya Air Campaign
U.S. Africa Command handed over control of the Libya air campaign to NATO early this morning, NATO and AFRICOM confirmed.
"On Thursday morning at 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT), NATO took sole command of international air operations over Libya," Rasmussen said.
The handover came after participating nations in the mission, called "Operation Unified Protector" transferred their military assets to NATO's control.
"In line with the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, NATO's focus is on protecting civilians and civilian-populated areas against the threat of attack," Rasmussen said.
But it was Twitter and AFRICOM that tipped off some of us that the transition had gone down this morning.
At about 4 a.m. EDT, AFRICOM Tweeted: "@USAfricaCommand: Many thanx to 1000s Twitter followers past 2 weeks-w/ #AFRICOM handover 2 NATO & focus on conflict prevention, please consider staying w/ us."
"On Thursday morning at 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT), NATO took sole command of international air operations over Libya," Rasmussen said.
The handover came after participating nations in the mission, called "Operation Unified Protector" transferred their military assets to NATO's control.
"In line with the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, NATO's focus is on protecting civilians and civilian-populated areas against the threat of attack," Rasmussen said.
But it was Twitter and AFRICOM that tipped off some of us that the transition had gone down this morning.
At about 4 a.m. EDT, AFRICOM Tweeted: "@USAfricaCommand: Many thanx to 1000s Twitter followers past 2 weeks-w/ #AFRICOM handover 2 NATO & focus on conflict prevention, please consider staying w/ us."
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Raw Video: USS Kearsarge in Action Off Libya
Harrier jets, Sea hawk helicopter, Super Stallion and Osprey take off and land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge during Libya missions (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mike Lenart/Released)
Rebels Overrun in Libyan Oil Towns
Updated 11 p.m. edt
There is a good chance airstrikes that can help the retreating Libyan rebels in the eastern coastal cities will resume once sandstorms die down, a well-placed diplomatic source said tonight.
"The French and British want the strikes to resume," the source said. "It's the weather, not politics... Nobody wants to see one of their jets go down in a sandstorm."
The running rebel force of about 1,000 poorly trained and ill-equipped fighters in somewhere between Brega and Ajdabiya, fleeing Moammar Gadhafi's armor and tactically superior force.
CIA operatives, meanwhile, may already be on the ground in Libya, trying to link up with the rebel forces and help them in any way. The covert operators theoretically will have the capability to communicate with the NATO coalition, perhaps changing the game on the ground as if they end up spotting and painting targets for the Western and Arab aircraft.
There were also reports that British intelligence operatives also will be on the ground in Libya to help the rebels.
On the political front, Gadhafi suffered a setback when his Foreign Minister Musa Kusa, an ex-Libyan intelligence chief, resigned and sought refuge in London. Kusa had been talking to the State Department for days.
end update
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Updated 6:30 p.m. edt
White House spokesman Jay Carney declined to comment on the Reuters report today that President Barack Obama signed a secret order sometime the past three weeks authorizing covert operations in support of Libyan rebels.
"As is common practice for this and all Administrations, I am not going to comment on intelligence matters. I will reiterate what the President said yesterday – no decision has been made about providing arms to the opposition or to any group in Libya," Carney said.
"We’re not ruling it out or ruling it in. We’re assessing and reviewing options for all types of assistance that we could provide to the Libyan people, and have consulted directly with the opposition and our international partners about these matters," Carney added.
end update
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Updated 4:30 p.m. edt
This just moved a short while ago on the Reuters wire. It could give the Libyan rebels something to be hopeful about as they fall back under assault by Moammar Gadhafi's forces:
WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces seeking to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, government officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
end update
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Easy Come, easy go.
Over the weekend Libyan rebels captured the key oil ports of eastern Libya and began talk of selling oil through Qatar. Today the 1,000-man rebel "army" has been pushed out of those towns by Moammar Gadhafi's better-armed force.
Scratch Bin Jawad, Ras Lanuf and Brega off the rebels "captured" list. The force is now pulling back to Ajdabiya. The New York Times has a money quote today from a rebel spokesman on the "tactical" withdrawal: "(The rebel force) dissolved like snow in the sand."
Did anyone really think Gadhafi would give up the eastern oil patch without a fight?
The high-speed retreat points to how essential the road-clearing air cover was to the rebels' swift advance over the weekend. Now under the control of NATO, there were no fighter jets seen today for a second-straight day flying above in eastern Libya. Instead, coalition warplanes were striking Misurata, where a rebel force is surrounded by Gadhafi armor.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper are on Capitol Hill today for secret briefings on Libya and Gadhafi.
There is a good chance airstrikes that can help the retreating Libyan rebels in the eastern coastal cities will resume once sandstorms die down, a well-placed diplomatic source said tonight.
"The French and British want the strikes to resume," the source said. "It's the weather, not politics... Nobody wants to see one of their jets go down in a sandstorm."
The running rebel force of about 1,000 poorly trained and ill-equipped fighters in somewhere between Brega and Ajdabiya, fleeing Moammar Gadhafi's armor and tactically superior force.
CIA operatives, meanwhile, may already be on the ground in Libya, trying to link up with the rebel forces and help them in any way. The covert operators theoretically will have the capability to communicate with the NATO coalition, perhaps changing the game on the ground as if they end up spotting and painting targets for the Western and Arab aircraft.
There were also reports that British intelligence operatives also will be on the ground in Libya to help the rebels.
On the political front, Gadhafi suffered a setback when his Foreign Minister Musa Kusa, an ex-Libyan intelligence chief, resigned and sought refuge in London. Kusa had been talking to the State Department for days.
end update
---[
Updated 6:30 p.m. edt
White House spokesman Jay Carney declined to comment on the Reuters report today that President Barack Obama signed a secret order sometime the past three weeks authorizing covert operations in support of Libyan rebels.
"As is common practice for this and all Administrations, I am not going to comment on intelligence matters. I will reiterate what the President said yesterday – no decision has been made about providing arms to the opposition or to any group in Libya," Carney said.
"We’re not ruling it out or ruling it in. We’re assessing and reviewing options for all types of assistance that we could provide to the Libyan people, and have consulted directly with the opposition and our international partners about these matters," Carney added.
end update
---[
Updated 4:30 p.m. edt
This just moved a short while ago on the Reuters wire. It could give the Libyan rebels something to be hopeful about as they fall back under assault by Moammar Gadhafi's forces:
WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces seeking to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, government officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
end update
---[
Easy Come, easy go.
Over the weekend Libyan rebels captured the key oil ports of eastern Libya and began talk of selling oil through Qatar. Today the 1,000-man rebel "army" has been pushed out of those towns by Moammar Gadhafi's better-armed force.
Scratch Bin Jawad, Ras Lanuf and Brega off the rebels "captured" list. The force is now pulling back to Ajdabiya. The New York Times has a money quote today from a rebel spokesman on the "tactical" withdrawal: "(The rebel force) dissolved like snow in the sand."
Did anyone really think Gadhafi would give up the eastern oil patch without a fight?
The high-speed retreat points to how essential the road-clearing air cover was to the rebels' swift advance over the weekend. Now under the control of NATO, there were no fighter jets seen today for a second-straight day flying above in eastern Libya. Instead, coalition warplanes were striking Misurata, where a rebel force is surrounded by Gadhafi armor.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper are on Capitol Hill today for secret briefings on Libya and Gadhafi.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Libyan Rebels Control Eastern Oil Fields
The Libyan rebels may be the wealthiest revolutionaries on the planet.
The rebels this weekend took control of the vast oil fields and key oil ports in Eastern Libya.
The main oil ports in Eastern Libya, including Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina and Tobruk are all now in rebel control. Many of the giant oil tanks are full at the terminals, experts believe, because shipments of Libyan petroleum have ceased to move during the fighting.
Ali Tarhouni, finance and oil minister for the rebel government, said Qatar has agreed to market the captured Libyan oil and shipping could resume by the end of this week.
"We contacted the oil company of Qatar and thankfully they agreed to take all the oil that we wish to export and market this oil for us," Tarhouni, a University of Washington economist who returned to Libya from exile little more than a month ago to join the rebellion, told Reuters.
United Arab Emirates reportedly has also made offers to help sell the Libyan oil.
The main oil ports in Eastern Libya, including Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina and Tobruk are all now in rebel control. Many of the giant oil tanks are full at some of those terminals, experts believe, because shipping Libyan petroleum has ceased during the fighting.
The rebels captured the precious oil fields and terminals after coalition air strikes and the fast-moving opposition force chased Gadhafi's army from the coastal cities of Eastern Libya, retreating more than 200 miles in a single day.
Libya produced 1.6 million barrels of oil per day before the revolt, about 2% of world's oil supplies. Libyan output has fallen off to between 100,000 and 130,000 barrels per day , but Tarhouni said he thinks output could quickly get back to about 300,000 barrels per day.
The rebels this weekend took control of the vast oil fields and key oil ports in Eastern Libya.
The main oil ports in Eastern Libya, including Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina and Tobruk are all now in rebel control. Many of the giant oil tanks are full at the terminals, experts believe, because shipments of Libyan petroleum have ceased to move during the fighting.
Ali Tarhouni, finance and oil minister for the rebel government, said Qatar has agreed to market the captured Libyan oil and shipping could resume by the end of this week.
"We contacted the oil company of Qatar and thankfully they agreed to take all the oil that we wish to export and market this oil for us," Tarhouni, a University of Washington economist who returned to Libya from exile little more than a month ago to join the rebellion, told Reuters.
United Arab Emirates reportedly has also made offers to help sell the Libyan oil.
The main oil ports in Eastern Libya, including Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina and Tobruk are all now in rebel control. Many of the giant oil tanks are full at some of those terminals, experts believe, because shipping Libyan petroleum has ceased during the fighting.
The rebels captured the precious oil fields and terminals after coalition air strikes and the fast-moving opposition force chased Gadhafi's army from the coastal cities of Eastern Libya, retreating more than 200 miles in a single day.
Libya produced 1.6 million barrels of oil per day before the revolt, about 2% of world's oil supplies. Libyan output has fallen off to between 100,000 and 130,000 barrels per day , but Tarhouni said he thinks output could quickly get back to about 300,000 barrels per day.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Raw Video: Gadhafi's Armor After French Air Force Strikes
Video taken on the ground by RT newsperson who is following the rebel force.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Rebels Take Key City of Ajdabiya
Updated 11:15 p.m. est
There are reports tonight that Moammar Gadhafi's forces pulled back further west, ceding the oil port of Brega west of Ajdabiya to the rebels marching to expand their territory under the cover of coalition jets and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
“We are in the centre of Brega,” Abdelsalam al-Maadani told AFP by telephone. “Gaddafi‘s forces are on the retreat and should now be at Al-Bisher, west of Brega.”
If reports are accurate, rebels recaptured Brega after withdrawing from the city March 13.
Earlier, the rebels captured the strategically located city of Ajdabiya to the east.
“We’re succeeding in our mission," President Obama said in his weekly Saturday morning address recorded before word of the rebel conquests.
---[
For the first time since the Libyan opposition inherited the greatest air force in the world more than a week ago, the rebel army launched an offensive today that captured the key eastern city of Ajdabiya.
"Without the planes we couldn't have done this. Gadhafi's weapons are at a different level than ours," said Ahmed Faraj, 38, a rebel fighter from Ajdabiya. "With the help of the planes we are going to push onward to Tripoli, God willing."
In Misurata, truckloads of snipers were seen getting out of vehicles outside that city and moving towards positions where they could fire on rebels and civilians, an eyewitness told CNN. Coalition strikes pushed Gadhafi's armor out of Misurata, but the snipers have been difficult to target and disperse.
And in a sign that Gadhafi's brutality against civilians has not ceased, a Libyan woman ran to a hotel housing reporters today in Tripoli and told journalists she had been raped and beaten by the despot's thugs. There is video of her being dragged away by Gadhafi's secret police here from CNN.
Rejuvenated rebel forces launched their first offensive since they were nearly wiped out last weekend by Gadhafi's forces. French warplanes ended Gadhafi's forces of destroying the rebel army in the initial coalition mission. Marine Harriers mopped up following days.
Ajdabiya is considered to be the gateway to the de facto rebel capital, Benghazi. Conversely, the rebels can now move forces forward and use Ajdabiya as a springboard to eventually move on Tripoli.
French and British warplanes yesterday hammered Moammar Gadhafi's forces in Ajdabiya, taking aim at government artillery and armor after the Libyan dictator refused to agree to a ceasefire. The air attacks softened up Gadhafi's forces, allowing the outgunned rebels to win the importantant battle.
There are reports tonight that Moammar Gadhafi's forces pulled back further west, ceding the oil port of Brega west of Ajdabiya to the rebels marching to expand their territory under the cover of coalition jets and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
“We are in the centre of Brega,” Abdelsalam al-Maadani told AFP by telephone. “Gaddafi‘s forces are on the retreat and should now be at Al-Bisher, west of Brega.”
If reports are accurate, rebels recaptured Brega after withdrawing from the city March 13.
Earlier, the rebels captured the strategically located city of Ajdabiya to the east.
“We’re succeeding in our mission," President Obama said in his weekly Saturday morning address recorded before word of the rebel conquests.
---[
For the first time since the Libyan opposition inherited the greatest air force in the world more than a week ago, the rebel army launched an offensive today that captured the key eastern city of Ajdabiya.
"Without the planes we couldn't have done this. Gadhafi's weapons are at a different level than ours," said Ahmed Faraj, 38, a rebel fighter from Ajdabiya. "With the help of the planes we are going to push onward to Tripoli, God willing."
In Misurata, truckloads of snipers were seen getting out of vehicles outside that city and moving towards positions where they could fire on rebels and civilians, an eyewitness told CNN. Coalition strikes pushed Gadhafi's armor out of Misurata, but the snipers have been difficult to target and disperse.
And in a sign that Gadhafi's brutality against civilians has not ceased, a Libyan woman ran to a hotel housing reporters today in Tripoli and told journalists she had been raped and beaten by the despot's thugs. There is video of her being dragged away by Gadhafi's secret police here from CNN.
Rejuvenated rebel forces launched their first offensive since they were nearly wiped out last weekend by Gadhafi's forces. French warplanes ended Gadhafi's forces of destroying the rebel army in the initial coalition mission. Marine Harriers mopped up following days.
Ajdabiya is considered to be the gateway to the de facto rebel capital, Benghazi. Conversely, the rebels can now move forces forward and use Ajdabiya as a springboard to eventually move on Tripoli.
French and British warplanes yesterday hammered Moammar Gadhafi's forces in Ajdabiya, taking aim at government artillery and armor after the Libyan dictator refused to agree to a ceasefire. The air attacks softened up Gadhafi's forces, allowing the outgunned rebels to win the importantant battle.
Weekly Address: The Military Mission in Libya
President Obama says in his weekly address that the military action in Libya has shown "progress" so far.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
So Just Who Will Run The No-Fly Zone? TBD
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe says foreign ministers from the Western coalition protecting the no-fly zone over Libya as well as Arab and Africans representatives plan to meet in London Tuesday, but the U.S. appparentlyuu is not ready to discuss plans for that session.
"Obviously, we remain in close contact. We’re aware of the meeting that was proposed. And obviously, (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) and others remain in close contact with our allies and partners in the coalition, but nothing to announce specific to that meeting," said Mark Toner, acting deputy State Department spokesman.
President Obama has said he wants to turn over command and control of the Libya mission in a matter of days, but the question for now is to whom does the U.S. hand over control of Libya? ABC ponders the question.
The U.S. would prefer that NATO run the show, but the French government wants a hybrid, a steering committee that includes a seat for NATO and perhaps Arab members, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"It won't be NATO that will have the political steering of the operation," Juppe said.
There are problems that must be attended to quickly in the coming days and for whichever entity takes over command for the next phase.
"Without substantial defections from the loyalist army, the rebels cannot hope to become a cohesive military force unless they receive weapons and training from outside, which would seem to be in breach of the UN arms embargo," The Economist opines in its Clausewitz blog, cooling defence, security and diplomatic issues.
The Christian Science Monitor noted, "The resolution had broad international support when it passed 10-0 with 5 abstentions. But now, as questions arise over what a no-fly zone actually entails and what “all necessary measures” means."
"Obviously, we remain in close contact. We’re aware of the meeting that was proposed. And obviously, (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) and others remain in close contact with our allies and partners in the coalition, but nothing to announce specific to that meeting," said Mark Toner, acting deputy State Department spokesman.
President Obama has said he wants to turn over command and control of the Libya mission in a matter of days, but the question for now is to whom does the U.S. hand over control of Libya? ABC ponders the question.
The U.S. would prefer that NATO run the show, but the French government wants a hybrid, a steering committee that includes a seat for NATO and perhaps Arab members, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"It won't be NATO that will have the political steering of the operation," Juppe said.
There are problems that must be attended to quickly in the coming days and for whichever entity takes over command for the next phase.
"Without substantial defections from the loyalist army, the rebels cannot hope to become a cohesive military force unless they receive weapons and training from outside, which would seem to be in breach of the UN arms embargo," The Economist opines in its Clausewitz blog, cooling defence, security and diplomatic issues.
The Christian Science Monitor noted, "The resolution had broad international support when it passed 10-0 with 5 abstentions. But now, as questions arise over what a no-fly zone actually entails and what “all necessary measures” means."
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Freedom Movement Sweeps Arabia
Since there is extraordinary activity, this blogger has compiled a timely nation-by-nation summary of the Pan-Arab Revolution and the freedom movement sweeping the Middle East. It includes links to top stories today and analysis.
Libya:
President Obama cut short today by a couple of hours his trip to Latin America to focus on the fighting in Libya, while NATO steps up its role in implementing the no-fly zone.
NATO started sea patrols as air strikes hit Tripoli again today while some units loyal to Qadhafi were reported to have stalled in Misurata, The New York Times reports.
Obama still insists U.S. will hand over command and control of Libyan operations in a matter of days.
The misery in Misurata: Gadhafi snipers fight on.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signals in an interview with ABC the U.S. would welcome a Gadhafi exit, suggesting he or his friends might be sniffing around for a place for the despot to pitch his tent.
Yemen:
Yemen’s leader remains defiant amid the waves of protests and the increasing number of defections from his government. President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s proposal was unclear, and the opposition called for his immediate exit, The NYTimes reports.
Saleh warns there could be a civil war triggered by attempts to stage a coup against his rule, the BBC reports.
Al Jazeera English reports: "Major-General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, the head of the north-western military zone and the first armoured division, announced his support for the protesters following a brutal crackdown. Other high-ranking officers that have defected include Brigadiers Hameed Al Koshebi, head of brigade 310 in the Omran area; Mohammed Ali Mohsen, who heads the eastern division; and Nasser Eljahori, head of brigade 121. General Ali Abdullaha Aliewa, an adviser to the Yemeni supreme leader of the army, also deserted the president."
The Washington Post highlights the problems the uprising in Yemen is causing in the hunt for suspected terrorists.
Syria:
Time offers a take on the seeds of the Syrian revolt.
Al Jazeera English ponders the potential for a Syrian revolution.
The BBC's running story on Syrian bloodshed.
And one from Haaretz.
Amnesty International wants Syrian deaths probed, Bloomberg reports.
Bahrain:
Bahrain's dream to be the money capital of the Persian Gulf kingdom are fading fast amid escalating unrest in the tiny island state. The Zawya Dow Jones news service reports it is helping neighboring Doha and Dubai to lure international financial institutions.
Bahrain is not scoring any better with the human rights watchdogs, who say the violations are mounting, VOA says.
Bahrain's monarch Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has said that a foreign plot against his kingdom had been foiled and thanked troops brought in from neighbouring countries to help end increasing unrest after weeks of protests, Al Jazeera reports.
Libya:
President Obama cut short today by a couple of hours his trip to Latin America to focus on the fighting in Libya, while NATO steps up its role in implementing the no-fly zone.
NATO started sea patrols as air strikes hit Tripoli again today while some units loyal to Qadhafi were reported to have stalled in Misurata, The New York Times reports.
Obama still insists U.S. will hand over command and control of Libyan operations in a matter of days.
The misery in Misurata: Gadhafi snipers fight on.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signals in an interview with ABC the U.S. would welcome a Gadhafi exit, suggesting he or his friends might be sniffing around for a place for the despot to pitch his tent.
Yemen:
Yemen’s leader remains defiant amid the waves of protests and the increasing number of defections from his government. President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s proposal was unclear, and the opposition called for his immediate exit, The NYTimes reports.
Saleh warns there could be a civil war triggered by attempts to stage a coup against his rule, the BBC reports.
Al Jazeera English reports: "Major-General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, the head of the north-western military zone and the first armoured division, announced his support for the protesters following a brutal crackdown. Other high-ranking officers that have defected include Brigadiers Hameed Al Koshebi, head of brigade 310 in the Omran area; Mohammed Ali Mohsen, who heads the eastern division; and Nasser Eljahori, head of brigade 121. General Ali Abdullaha Aliewa, an adviser to the Yemeni supreme leader of the army, also deserted the president."
The Washington Post highlights the problems the uprising in Yemen is causing in the hunt for suspected terrorists.
Syria:
Time offers a take on the seeds of the Syrian revolt.
Al Jazeera English ponders the potential for a Syrian revolution.
The BBC's running story on Syrian bloodshed.
And one from Haaretz.
Amnesty International wants Syrian deaths probed, Bloomberg reports.
Bahrain:
Bahrain's dream to be the money capital of the Persian Gulf kingdom are fading fast amid escalating unrest in the tiny island state. The Zawya Dow Jones news service reports it is helping neighboring Doha and Dubai to lure international financial institutions.
Bahrain is not scoring any better with the human rights watchdogs, who say the violations are mounting, VOA says.
Bahrain's monarch Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has said that a foreign plot against his kingdom had been foiled and thanked troops brought in from neighbouring countries to help end increasing unrest after weeks of protests, Al Jazeera reports.
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