Kevin
19-Mar-11, 22:07
To prove that US military strategists haven't lost their touch when it comes to awesome names, the United States military has launched Operation Odyssey Dawn, an attempt to support rebel forces while decimating the Libyan government hopefully avoiding civilian casualties. However, the Libyan government appears to be willing to resist what it calls "naked aggression" at any cost.
The Gadhafi regime, for its part, appears to be preparing a defensive effort in Tripoli, with reports of thousands of civilians forming human shields around the Gadhafi compound in the capital. (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/19/us-libya-humanshield-idUSTRE72I3NB20110319) Officials have also suggested they intend to arm the West Libyan populace to resist any possible ground invasion.
Most pundits in the West have made very little attempt to hide their bias in favor of the action, with US military talking points flowing out of TVs around the world. However, for some people, this attack is unsettling and potentially disastrous for not just Libya, but the countries getting involved.
Indeed, the footage on the evening of March 19, 2011 was eerily similar to the footage of March 19, 2003, when US forces were launching massive air strikes against targets inside Iraq as part of its “shock and awe strategy.”
Libyan State TV is reporting 48 people killed and 150+ wounded. This post will be updated as time moves on.
http://i.imgur.com/m8jBb.jpg
France - Operation Harmattan
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op%C3%A9ration_Harmattan)United Kingdom - Operation Ellamy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ellamy)
United States Of America - Operation Odyssey Dawn
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Odyssey_Dawn)Canada - Operation MOBILE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_MOBILE)
Allied Forces
UK: Providing Typhoon and Tornado jet fighters; surveillance planes; HMS Westminster and HMS Cumberland; submarines
France: Carried out mission with at least 12 warplanes including Mirage fighters and Rafale jets; deploying aircraft carrier, warships
US: Firing guided missiles from USS Barry and USS Stout; providing amphibious warships, and command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney
Italy: Nato base at Naples understood to be central hub; other Mediterranean bases made available
Canada: Providing six F-18 fighter jets and 140 personnel
The Gadhafi regime, for its part, appears to be preparing a defensive effort in Tripoli, with reports of thousands of civilians forming human shields around the Gadhafi compound in the capital. (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/19/us-libya-humanshield-idUSTRE72I3NB20110319) Officials have also suggested they intend to arm the West Libyan populace to resist any possible ground invasion.
Most pundits in the West have made very little attempt to hide their bias in favor of the action, with US military talking points flowing out of TVs around the world. However, for some people, this attack is unsettling and potentially disastrous for not just Libya, but the countries getting involved.
Indeed, the footage on the evening of March 19, 2011 was eerily similar to the footage of March 19, 2003, when US forces were launching massive air strikes against targets inside Iraq as part of its “shock and awe strategy.”
Libyan State TV is reporting 48 people killed and 150+ wounded. This post will be updated as time moves on.
http://i.imgur.com/m8jBb.jpg
France - Operation Harmattan
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op%C3%A9ration_Harmattan)United Kingdom - Operation Ellamy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ellamy)
United States Of America - Operation Odyssey Dawn
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Odyssey_Dawn)Canada - Operation MOBILE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_MOBILE)
Allied Forces
UK: Providing Typhoon and Tornado jet fighters; surveillance planes; HMS Westminster and HMS Cumberland; submarines
France: Carried out mission with at least 12 warplanes including Mirage fighters and Rafale jets; deploying aircraft carrier, warships
US: Firing guided missiles from USS Barry and USS Stout; providing amphibious warships, and command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney
Italy: Nato base at Naples understood to be central hub; other Mediterranean bases made available
Canada: Providing six F-18 fighter jets and 140 personnel