Coalition intervention in Libya

The Coalition intervention in Libya began in March 19, 2011, when forces from many nations intervened militarily in Libya in support of an armed uprising and to enforce a no-fly zone established over Libyan airspace by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on 17 March 2011.The no-fly zone was proposed during the 2011 Libyan uprising to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on rebel forces.

On 12 March, the Arab League called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone. On 15 March, Lebanese Ambassador Nawaf Salam tabled this as a resolution which was backed by the U.K. and France. On 17 March 2011, the Security Council voted by ten votes to none to approve a no-fly zone through Resolution 1973. There were five abstentions: Brazil, Russia, India, China (who oppose military intervention against a sovereign country) and Germany (whose official position is that it does not want to participate in any military operation in Libya, but recognises that something must be done).

The full list of participating nations and their roles in applying these measures have not been specified, although France, the U.K. and the United States have already acted. Lebanon has also stated its intention to uphold them as a matter of urgency.

On 18 March, the Libyan foreign minister, Mussa Kussa said he has declared a ceasefire, attributing the U.N. resolution. However, artillery shelling on Misurata and Ajdabiya continued, and government soldiers continued approaching Benghazi. Government troops and tanks entered the city on 19 March. Artillery and mortars were also fired into the city.

The U.N. resolution authorised air-strikes against Libyan ground troops and "warships" posing a threat to civilians. On 19 March, the no-fly zone enforcement began, with French aircraft undertaking sorties across Libya and a naval blockade by the Royal Navy. Air strikes against Libyan Army tanks and vehicles by French jets have since been confirmed. Eventually, the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and Charles de Gaulle will arrive off the coast and provide the enforcers with a rapid-response capability. US forces named their part of the enforcement action Operation Odyssey Dawn, meant to "Deny the Libyan regime from using force against its own people." said US Vice Admiral William E. Gortney. More than 110 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles were fired in an initial assault by U.S. warships and a British submarine against Libyan air defences.