Air Strikes Cannot Prevent Stalemate in Libya; Typhoon Makes Combat Debut

NATO-led air operations over Libya have failed to prevent a s

A UK Royal Air Force Eurocopter Typhoon dropped air-ground weapons in Libya this month.

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

April 21, 2011

NATO-led air operations over Libya have failed to prevent a stalemate in the civil war there, although humanitarian aid flights and shipments have been protected. Air strikes on the heavy weapons of the Gaddafi regime have continued, but NATO commanders admitted the difficulty of identifying and attacking regime forces that move in light vehicles and trucks.

There have been two reports of rebel or civilian casualties resulting from the airstrikes–an almost inevitable occurrence, given the lack of NATO forward air controllers on the ground to identify and precisely designate the correct targets. The Eurofighter Typhoon dropped air-ground weapons in combat for the first time earlier this month.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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