2011 military intervention in Libya#Chronology

Both Libyan officials{{cite web |url=http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201102219941/Libya-Politics/libyan-ambassador-to-un-urges-international-community-to-stop-genocide.html |title=Libyan Ambassador to U.N. Urges International Community To Stop Genocide |publisher=Global Arab Network |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226113522/http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201102219941/Libya-Politics/libyan-ambassador-to-un-urges-international-community-to-stop-genocide.html |archive-date=26 February 2011 }}{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/09/libya.civil.war/ |title=Rebel Leader Calls for 'Immediate Action' on No-Fly Zone|publisher= CNN |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110315005311/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/09/libya.civil.war/| archive-date= 15 March 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite news|author=McGreal, Chris |title=Gaddafi's Army Will Kill Half a Million, Warn Libyan Rebels |date=12 March 2011 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/12/gaddafi-army-kill-half-million |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315164926/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/12/gaddafi-army-kill-half-million |archive-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Thousands of Libyan Women March for 'No-Fly Zone' |date=12 March 2011 |agency=Agence France-Presse |work=NOW Lebanon |url=http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=249498 |access-date=13 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130045550/http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=249498 |archive-date=30 January 2013 }} and international states{{cite news|author=Donnet, Pierre-Antoine |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gjK-uTaUi4eIZffTsS13LCaFVYQw?docId=CNG.49104d077a72cbffeafe9d3689e92793.af1 |title=Britain, France Ready Libya No-Fly Zone Resolution |date=7 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310051829/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gjK-uTaUi4eIZffTsS13LCaFVYQw?docId=CNG.49104d077a72cbffeafe9d3689e92793.af1 |archive-date=10 March 2011}}{{cite news| url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704615504576172383796304482?mod=googlenews_wsj| title= Cameron Doesn't Rule Out Military Force for Libya| date= 28 February 2011| access-date= 28 February 2011| work= The Wall Street Journal| author= Macdonald, Alistair| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171012022738/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704615504576172383796304482?mod=googlenews_wsj| archive-date= 12 October 2017| url-status= live}}{{cite news |author=Denslow, James |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/16/libya-lebanon-un-security-council-resolution |title=Lebanon's Role in a U.N. Security Council Resolution Against Libya Is Evidence of Unfinished Business Between the Two States |work=The Guardian |date=16 March 2011 |access-date=20 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921210421/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/16/libya-lebanon-un-security-council-resolution |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12770467 |title=Libya: UK Forces Prepare after UN No-Fly Zone Vote|date=18 March 2011 |work=BBC News|access-date=18 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110318060331/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12770467| archive-date= 18 March 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite news|author1=DeYoung, Karen|author2=Lynch, Colum|title=Europeans Say Intervention in Libya Possible Within Hours of U.N. Vote|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europeans-say-intervention-in-libya-possible-within-hours-of-un-vote/2011/03/17/ABSb9pl_story.html|access-date=18 March 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=17 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060216/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europeans-say-intervention-in-libya-possible-within-hours-of-un-vote/2011/03/17/ABSb9pl_story.html|archive-date=29 June 2011|url-status=live}} and organizations{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10200.doc.htm |title=Security Council Approves 'No-Fly Zone' over Libya, Authorizing 'All Necessary Measures' to Protect Civilians, by Vote of 10 in Favour with 5 Abstentions |publisher= United Nations|date=17 March 2011 |access-date=13 April 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210324155727/https://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10200.doc.htm| archive-date= 24 March 2021 | url-status= live}}{{cite news|title=Arab States Seek Libya No-Fly Zone |date=12 March 2011 |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/03/201131218852687848.html |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313095409/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131218852687848.html |archive-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Perry, Tom |title=Arab League Calls for Libya No-Fly Zone-State TV |date=12 March 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72B0DW20110312 |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121135214/http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72B0DW20110312 |archive-date=21 January 2012 }}{{cite web |title=Breaking: Arab League Calls on U.N. To Impose No Fly Zone on Libya |publisher=LibyaFeb17.com |date=12 March 2011 |url=http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/overnight-bombardment-on-ras-lanuf/ |access-date=12 March 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314204723/http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/overnight-bombardment-on-ras-lanuf/ |archive-date=14 March 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/03/201131720311168561.html |title=U.N. Authorises No-Fly Zone over Libya |publisher=Al Jazeera|date=17 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110318102654/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131720311168561.html| archive-date= 18 March 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite news| author = Mardell, Mark |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12781009 |title=Libya: UN Backs Action Against Colonel Gaddafi |work=BBC News|date=17 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110318010725/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12781009| archive-date= 18 March 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite news |url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/17/u-n-imposes-no-fly-zone-over-libya/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1 |title=U.N. Security Council Approves No-Fly Zone over Libya |publisher=CNN |date=17 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908204329/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/17/u-n-imposes-no-fly-zone-over-libya/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1 |archive-date=8 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} called for a no-fly zone over Libya in light of allegations that Gaddafi's military had conducted airstrikes against Libyan rebels in the Libyan Civil War.

{{Anchor|Chronology}}

{{Main|Timeline of the 2011 military intervention in Libya}}

• 21 February 2011: Libyan deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ibrahim Dabbashi called "on the UN to impose a no-fly zone on all of Tripoli to cut off all supplies of arms and mercenaries to the regime."
• 23 February 2011: French President Nicolas Sarkozy pushed for the European Union (EU) to pass sanctions against Gaddafi (freezing Gaddafi's family funds abroad) and demand he stops attacks against civilians.
• 25 February 2011: Sarkozy said Gaddafi "must go."{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/as-it-happened-libya-uprising-february-25-sz2h2vx8j56|title=As It Happened: Libya Uprising February 25|work=The Times|date=25 April 2011|access-date=22 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219040003/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article2926163.ece|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=live}}
• 26 February 2011: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 was passed unanimously, referring the Libyan government to the International Criminal Court for gross human rights violations. It imposed an arms embargo on the country and a travel ban and assets freeze on Gaddafi's family and certain Government officials.{{cite web|title=In Swift, Decisive Action, Security Council Imposes Tough Measures on Libyan Regime, Adopting Resolution 1970 in Wake of Crackdown on Protesters|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10187.doc.htm|website=United Nations|access-date=14 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229233029/http://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10187.doc.htm|archive-date=29 December 2014|url-status=live}}
• 28 February 2011: British Prime Minister David Cameron proposed the idea of a no-fly zone to prevent Gaddafi from "airlifting mercenaries" and "using his military aeroplanes and armoured helicopters against civilians."
• 1 March 2011: The US Senate unanimously passed non-binding Senate resolution S.RES.85 urging the United Nations Security Council to impose a Libyan no-fly zone and encouraging Gaddafi to step down. The US had naval forces positioned off the coast of Libya, as well as forces already in the region, including the aircraft carrier {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}.
• 2 March 2011: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper authorized the deployment of the Royal Canadian Navy frigate {{HMCS|Charlottetown|FFH 339|6}} to the Mediterranean, off the coast of Libya.{{Cite news| last1=Ibbitson| first1=John| author-link=John Ibbitson| last2=Leblanc| first2=Daniel| title=Canada turns commitment into clout in Libya| newspaper=The Globe and Mail| date=21 October 2011| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-turns-commitment-into-clout-in-libya/article2210169/| access-date=23 October 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022210946/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-turns-commitment-into-clout-in-libya/article2210169/| archive-date=22 October 2011| url-status=live}} Canadian National Defence Minister Peter MacKay stated that "[w]e are there for all inevitabilities. And NATO is looking at this as well ... This is taken as a precautionary and staged measure."{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/technology/Canadian+warship+ordered+Libya/4367124/story.html |title=Canada sending warship to Libya |publisher=Canada.com |date=1 March 2011 |access-date=28 August 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191226183213/https://www.webcitation.org/61HKIBZJZ?url=http://www.canada.com/technology/Canadian%20warship%20ordered%20Libya/4367124/story.html |archive-date=26 December 2019 }}
• 7 March 2011: US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder announced that NATO decided to step up surveillance missions of E-3 AWACS aircraft to twenty-four hours a day. On the same day, it was reported that an anonymous UN diplomat confirmed to Agence France Presse that France and Britain were drawing up a resolution on the no-fly zone that would be considered by the UN Security Council during the same week. The Gulf Cooperation Council also on that day called upon the UN Security Council to "take all necessary measures to protect civilians, including enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya."
• 9 March 2011: The head of the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, "pleaded for the international community to move quickly to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, declaring that any delay would result in more casualties." Three days later, he stated that if pro-Gaddafi forces reached Benghazi, then they would kill "half a million" people. He stated, "If there is no no-fly zone imposed on Gaddafi's regime, and his ships are not checked, we will have a catastrophe in Libya."
• 10 March 2011: France recognized the Libyan NTC as the legitimate government of Libya soon after Nicolas Sarkozy met with them in Paris. This meeting was arranged by Bernard-Henri Lévy.{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/0328/How-a-philosopher-swayed-France-s-response-on-Libya|author=Marquand, Robert|title=How a Philosopher Swayed France's Response on Libya|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=28 March 2011|access-date=29 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021051630/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/0328/How-a-philosopher-swayed-France-s-response-on-Libya|archive-date=21 October 2012|url-status=live}}
• 12 March 2011: The Arab League "called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in a bid to protect civilians from air attack."{{cite news| author = Escobar, Pepe |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD02Ak01.html |title=Exposed: The US-Saudi Libya Deal |work = Asia Times |date=2 April 2011|access-date=14 April 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110404111117/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD02Ak01.html| archive-date= 4 April 2011 | url-status= unfit}} The Arab League's request was announced by Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, who stated that all member states present at the meeting agreed with the proposal. On 12 March, thousands of Libyan women marched in the streets of the rebel-held town of Benghazi, calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
• 14 March 2011: In Paris at the Élysée Palace, before the summit with the G8 Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sarkozy, who is also the president of the G8, along with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and pressed her to push for intervention in Libya.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article2946485.ece|title='Clock Is Ticking' on Libya, Cameron Warns|work=The Times|date=15 March 2011|access-date=22 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008173948/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article2946485.ece|archive-date=8 October 2012|url-status=live}}

File:US Supports No-Fly Zone Against Libya.ogv report on the United States joining Lebanon, France, and the United Kingdom to support the no-fly zone.]]

• 15 March 2011: A resolution for a no-fly zone was proposed by Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's Ambassador to the UN. The resolution was immediately backed by France and the United Kingdom.{{cite news |author=Denselow, James |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/16/libya-lebanon-un-security-council-resolution |title=Libya and Lebanon: A Troubled Relationship |work=The Guardian |date=16 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921210421/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/16/libya-lebanon-un-security-council-resolution |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live }}
• 17 March 2011: The UN Security Council, acting under the authority of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, approved a no-fly zone by a vote of ten in favour, zero against, and five abstentions, via UNSCR 1973. The five abstentions were: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Germany.{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808&Cr=libya&Cr1= |title=Security Council Authorizes 'All Necessary Measures' To Protect Civilians in Libya |date=17 March 2011 |publisher=U.N. |access-date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321040853/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808&Cr=libya&Cr1= |archive-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/17/un-security-council-resolution|work=The Guardian|title=U.N. Security Council Resolution on Libya – Full Text|date=17 March 2011|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202001100/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/17/un-security-council-resolution|archive-date=2 December 2016|url-status=live}} Less than twenty-four hours later, Libya announced that it would halt all military operations in response to the UN Security Council resolution.{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/03/2011318124421218583.html |title=Libya Declares Ceasefire But Fighting Goes On |publisher=Al Jazeera|date=18 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110319105909/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/2011318124421218583.html| archive-date= 19 March 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14922684,00.html |title=Rebels, West Wary of Libyan Ceasefire |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321203054/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14922684,00.html |archive-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=live }}

File:A frontline parade - Flickr - Al Jazeera English (1).jpg

• 18 March 2011: The Libyan foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, said that he had declared a ceasefire, attributing the UN resolution.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12787056 |title=Libya: Foreign Minister Announces Immediate Ceasefire |work= BBC News |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110318224707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12787056| archive-date= 18 March 2011 | url-status= live}} However, artillery shelling on Misrata and Ajdabiya continued, and government soldiers continued approaching Benghazi.{{cite news |author1=Amara, Tarek |author2=Karouny, Mariam |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-libya-misrata-bombard-idUKTRE72H4L520110318 |title=Gaddafi Forces Shell West Libya's Misrata, 25 Dead |work=Reuters |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=6 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009053631/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-misrata-bombard-idUKTRE72H4L520110318 |archive-date=9 October 2011 |url-status=dead }} Government troops and tanks entered the city on 19 March.{{cite news|date=19 March 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12793919|title=Libya: Gaddafi Forces Attacking Rebel-Held Benghazi|work= BBC News |access-date=19 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110319172346/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12793919| archive-date= 19 March 2011 | url-status= live}} Artillery and mortars were also fired into the city.{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/03/201131934914112208.html|title=Gaddafi Forces Encroaching on Benghazi|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=19 March 2011|access-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531194927/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/03/201131934914112208.html|archive-date=31 May 2012|url-status=live}}
• 18 March 2011: U.S. President Barack Obama orders military air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya in his address to the nation from the White House.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/18/remarks-president-situation-libya|title=Remarks by the President on the Situation in Libya|date=March 18, 2011|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=June 10, 2020}} US President Obama later held a meeting with eighteen senior lawmakers at the White House on the afternoon of 18 March{{cite news|date=18 March 2011|url=http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/18/inside_the_white_house_congress_meeting_on_libya|title=Inside the White House-Congress Meeting on Libya|work = Foreign Policy|access-date=18 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110321075518/http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/18/inside_the_white_house_congress_meeting_on_libya| archive-date= 21 March 2011 | url-status= live}}
• 19 March 2011: French{{cite news |author=Jonathan Marcus |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971 |title=Libya: French plane fires on military vehicle |work=BBC News |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320125209/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971 |archive-date=20 March 2011 |url-status=live }} forces began the military intervention in Libya, later joined by coalition forces with strikes against armoured units south of Benghazi and attacks on Libyan air-defense systems, as UN Security Council Resolution 1973 called for using "all necessary means" to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas from attack, imposed a no-fly zone, and called for an immediate and with-standing cease-fire, while also strengthening travel bans on members of the regime, arms embargoes, and asset freezes.
• 21 March 2011: Obama sent a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate claiming the actions were justified under the War Powers Resolution.{{cite web|url=http://c-span.org/uploadedfiles/Content/Documents/2011libya.military.rel.pdf |title=Text of a Letter from the President to the Speak of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate |publisher=C-SPAN |date=21 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720165559/http://c-span.org/uploadedfiles/Content/Documents/2011libya.military.rel.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2011}}
• 24 March 2011: In telephone negotiations, French foreign minister Alain Juppé agreed to let NATO take over all military operations on 29 March at the latest, allowing Turkey to veto strikes on Gaddafi's ground forces from that point forward.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/23/libya-no-fly-zone-leadership-squabbles |title=Libya No-Fly Zone Leadership Squabbles Continue within Nato – Turkey Calls for an Alliance-Led Campaign To Limit Operations While France Seeks a Broader 'Coalition of the Willing' |work=The Guardian |date=23 March 2011 |author1=Traynor, Ian |author2=Watt, Nicholas |access-date=6 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326232001/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/23/libya-no-fly-zone-leadership-squabbles |archive-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=live }} Later reports stated that NATO would take over enforcement of the no-fly zone and the arms embargo, but discussions were still underway about whether NATO would take over the protection of civilians mission. Turkey reportedly wanted the power to veto airstrikes, while France wanted to prevent Turkey from having such a veto.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/24/france-turkey-nato-libya |title=Libya: Nato To Control No-Fly Zone after France Gives Way to Turkey |work=The Guardian |date=24 March 2011 |author1=Traynor, Ian |author2=Watt, Nicholas |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326194027/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/24/france-turkey-nato-libya |archive-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/25/libya.nato/index.html?hpt=T1 |title=NATO Considers Broader Role in Libya |publisher=CNN |date=25 March 2011 |author=Newton, Paula |access-date=26 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504041751/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/25/libya.nato/index.html?hpt=T1 |archive-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=live }}
• 25 March 2011: NATO Allied Joint Force Command in Naples took command of the no-fly zone over Libya and combined it with the ongoing arms embargo operation under the name Operation Unified Protector.{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_03/20110325_110325-unified-protector-no-fly-zone.pdf|title=NATO No-Fly Zone over Libya Operation Unified Protector|publisher=NATO|date=25 March 2011|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321021800/http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_03/20110325_110325-unified-protector-no-fly-zone.pdf|archive-date=21 March 2017|url-status=live}}
• 26 March 2011: Obama addressed the nation from the White House, providing an update on the current state of the military intervention in Libya.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/26/weekly-address-president-obama-says-mission-libya-succeeding|title=Weekly Address: President Obama Says the Mission in Libya is Succeeding|date=March 26, 2011|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=June 19, 2020}}

File:Weekly Address-The Military Mission in Libya.ogv addressing the people of the United States about the US intervention in Libya (26 March 2011)|200px]]

• 28 March 2011: Obama addressed the American people on the rationale for U.S. military intervention with NATO forces in Libya at the National Defense University.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/28/remarks-president-address-nation-libya|title=Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Libya|date=28 March 2011|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=4 April 2011}}
• 20 October 2011: When Hillary Clinton learned of the death of Muammar Gaddafi she was covered to have said: "We came, we saw, he died" in paraphrasing the famous quote of the Roman imperator Julius Caesar veni, vidi, vici.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clinton-on-qaddafi-we-came-we-saw-he-died/|title=Clinton on Qaddafi: "We came, we saw, he died"|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=20 October 2011 |access-date=18 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218072544/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clinton-on-qaddafi-we-came-we-saw-he-died/|archive-date=18 February 2019|url-status=live}}

Initial NATO planning for a possible no-fly zone took place in late February and early March,{{cite news|author = Borger, Julian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/08/nato-libya-no-fly-zone-options |title=Nato weighs Libya no-fly zone options|work= The Guardian |date=8 March 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110322192214/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/08/nato-libya-no-fly-zone-options| archive-date= 22 March 2011 | url-status= live}} especially by NATO members France and the United Kingdom.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-africa-12672640 |title=Libya: UK and French No-Fly Zone Plan Gathers Pace |work= BBC News |date=8 March 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110320122424/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-africa-12672640| archive-date= 20 March 2011 | url-status= live}} France and the UK were early supporters of a no-fly zone and had sufficient airpower to impose a no-fly zone over the rebel-held areas, although they might need additional assistance for a more extensive exclusion zone.

The US had the air assets necessary to enforce a no-fly zone, but was cautious about supporting such an action prior to obtaining a legal basis for violating Libya's sovereignty. Furthermore, due to the sensitive nature of military action by the US against an Arab nation, the US sought Arab participation in the enforcement of a no-fly zone.

At a congressional hearing, United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates explained that "a no-fly zone begins with an attack on Libya to destroy the air defences … and then you can fly planes around the country and not worry about our guys being shot down. But that's the way it starts."{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/03/02/libya.military.options/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707091209/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-03-02/us/libya.military.options_1_gadhafi-government-arab-league-libyan-people?_s=PM:U.S. |archive-date=7 July 2012 |title=U.S. Mulling Military Options in Libya |publisher=CNN |date=2 March 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=10 March 2011}}

On 19 March, the deployment of French fighter jets over Libya began, and other states began their individual operations. Phase One started the same day with the involvement of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

On 24 March, NATO ambassadors agreed that NATO would take command of the no-fly zone enforcement, while other military operations remained the responsibility of the group of states previously involved, with NATO expected to take control as early as 26 March. The decision was made after meetings of NATO members to resolve disagreements over whether military operations in Libya should include attacks on ground forces.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12856665 |title=Nato Takes Over Libya No-Fly Zone |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=24 March 2011 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324235415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12856665 |archive-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=live}} The decision created a two-level power structure overseeing military operations. In charge politically was a committee, led by NATO, that included all states participating in enforcing the no-fly zone, while NATO alone was responsible for military action.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/24/france-turkey-nato-libya |title=Nato To Oversee Libya Campaign after France and Turkey Strike Deal |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=24 March 2011 |work=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326194027/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/24/france-turkey-nato-libya |archive-date=26 March 2011 |first1=Ian |last1=Traynor |first2=Nicholas |last2=Watt |url-status=live}} Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard has been appointed to command the NATO military mission.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-to-lead-nato-s-libya-mission-1.1046678 |title=Canadian to lead NATO's Libya mission |publisher=CBC News |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326160600/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/25/libya-nato-mission.html |archive-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=live }}

After the death of Muammar Gaddafi on 20 October 2011, it was announced that the NATO mission would end on 31 October.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15412529 |title=Libya: Muammar Gaddafi's body to undergo post-mortem |publisher=BBC |date=22 October 2011 |access-date=22 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022153249/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15412529 |archive-date=22 October 2011 |url-status=live }}

• NATO: Operation Unified Protector

Before NATO took full command of operations at 06:00 GMT on 31 March 2011, the military intervention in the form of a no-fly zone and the naval blockade was split between different national operations:

• France: Opération Harmattan
• United Kingdom: Operation Ellamy
• Canada: Operation Mobile
• United States: Operation Odyssey Dawn – Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Spain, Greece and the United Arab Emirates placed their national contributions under U.S. command

These are the forces committed in alphabetical order:

File:USS Barry (DDG-52) launching a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.jpg on 19 March 2011.]]

• Belgium: Six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component, were already stationed at Araxos, Greece for an exercise, and flew their first mission in the afternoon of 21 March. They monitored the no-fly zone throughout the operation and have successfully attacked ground targets multiple times since 27 March, all of them without collateral damage. The Belgian Naval Component minehunter {{ship|Belgian minehunter|Narcis|M923|2}} was part of NATO's SNMCMG1 at the start of the operation and assisted in NATO's naval blockade from 23 March. The ship was later replaced by the minehunter {{ship|Belgian minehunter|Lobelia|M921|2}} in August.
• Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy {{sclass|Wielingen|frigate|2}} {{ship|Bulgarian frigate|Drazki||2}} participated in the naval blockade, along with a number of "special naval forces", two medical teams and other humanitarian help.{{cite web|last=Машева|first=Гергана|title=Пращаме "Дръзки" да патрулира край Либия|url=http://dnes.dir.bg/temite/news/boyko-borisov-kadafi-Mid-East-revolution-fregata-drazki-8250907?tag_id=108385|access-date=23 March 2011|date=21 March 2011|publisher=Dir.bg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814203547/http://dnes.dir.bg/temite/news/boyko-borisov-kadafi-Mid-East-revolution-fregata-drazki-8250907?tag_id=108385|archive-date=14 August 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828|title=Bulgaria's Drazki Frigate Ready to Set Sail for Libya|work=Standart|date=23 March 2011|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006002806/http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828|archive-date=6 October 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://thesofiaecho.com/2011/03/30/1067837_bulgarian-frigate-on-its-way-to-libyan-coast |title=Bulgarian Frigate on Its Way to Libyan Coast |work=The Sofia Echo |date=30 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831014300/http://thesofiaecho.com/2011/03/30/1067837_bulgarian-frigate-on-its-way-to-libyan-coast |archive-date=31 August 2011}} The frigate left port on 27 April and arrived off the coast of Libya on 2 May.{{cite news|url=http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=127541|agency=Sofia News Agency|date=21 April 2011|access-date=24 April 2011|title=Bulgarian Frigate Sets Out for Libya Embargo Operation 27 April|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425215643/http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=127541|archive-date=25 April 2011|url-status=live}} It patrolled for one month before returning to Bulgaria, with a supply stop at the Greek port of Souda.
• Canada: The Royal Canadian Air Force deployed seven (six front line, one reserve) CF-18 fighter jets, two CC-150 Polaris refueling airplanes, two CC-177 Globemaster III heavy transports, two CC-130J Super Hercules tactical transports, and two CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft. The Royal Canadian Navy deployed the {{sclass|Halifax|frigate}}s {{HMCS|Charlottetown|FFH 339|6}} and {{HMCS|Vancouver|FFH 331|6}}. A total of 440 Canadian Forces personnel participated in Operation Mobile. There were reports that special operations were being conducted by Joint Task Force 2 in association with Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) as part of Canada's contribution.{{cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Canadian+warship+route+JTF2+sent+Libya/4369428/story.html |title=Canadian Warship En Route, JTF2 Sent to Libya |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309222337/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canadian+warship+route+JTF2+sent+Libya/4369428/story.html |archive-date=9 March 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/infos/lemonde/archives/2011/03/20110318-122506.html |title=Harper confirme l'envoi de sept CF-18 |language=fr |publisher=TVA Nouvelles |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320035958/http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/infos/lemonde/archives/2011/03/20110318-122506.html |archive-date=20 March 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://lejournaldemontreal.canoe.ca/actualites/national/archives/2011/03/20110318-100858.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710105630/http://lejournaldemontreal.canoe.ca/actualites/national/archives/2011/03/20110318-100858.html |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Les CF-18 partent pour la Méditerranée |work=Le Journal de Montréal |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |url-status=usurped |language=fr}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada-will-fight-to-protect-libyan-civilians-harper-1.620889 |title=Canada Will Fight To Protect Libyan Civilians: Harper |publisher=CTV News |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321022457/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110319/harper-leader-talk-gadhafi-paris-110319/ |archive-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp |title=Operation Mobile |publisher=Canadian Expeditionary Force Command |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=20 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309222211/http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp |archive-date=9 March 2011 }}

File:Palmaria bengasi 1903 0612 b1.jpg of the Libyan Army, destroyed by French air force near Benghazi, 19 March]]

• Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force participated with six F-16AM fighters, one C-130J Super Hercules military transport plane and the corresponding ground crews. Only four F-16s were used for offensive operations, while the remaining two acted as reserves.{{cite web |url=http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/ |title=Denmark To Send Squadron on Libya Op |work=Politiken |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320205403/http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/ |archive-date=20 March 2011 |url-status=live }} The first mission by Danish aircraft was flown on 20 March and the first strikes were carried out on 23 March, with four aircraft making twelve sorties as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/23/354714/danish-f-16s-drop-their-first-bombs-on-libya.html |title=Danish F-16s drop their first bombs on Libya |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=23 March 2011 |work=Flight International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325104034/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/23/354714/danish-f-16s-drop-their-first-bombs-on-libya.html |archive-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=live}} Danish F-16s flew a total of 43 missions dropping 107 precision bombs during Odyssey Dawn before switching to NATO command under Unified Protector[http://forsvaret.dk/FTK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/missionupdate/Pages/Missionupdate1april.aspx Mission update 1. April]. Forsvaret.dk (11 October 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528050132/http://forsvaret.dk/FTK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/missionupdate/Pages/Missionupdate1april.aspx |date=28 May 2013}} Danish flights bombed approximately 17% of all targets in Libya and together with Norwegian flights proved to be the most efficient in proportion to the number of flights involved.{{cite web|url = http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/04/20/nyheter/libya/forsvaret/16258002/|title = Norske fly bomber mest i Libya|language = no|work = Dagbladet|date = 31 May 2011|access-date = 31 May 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110529231644/http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/04/20/nyheter/libya/forsvaret/16258002/|archive-date = 29 May 2011|url-status = live}} Danish F-16s flew the last fast-jet mission of Operation Unified Protector on 31 October 2011{{in lang|da}} [http://jyllands-posten.dk/international/article4594447.ece Danske piloter lukkede Libyen-togt – International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307234742/http://jyllands-posten.dk/international/article4594447.ece |date=7 March 2013 }}. Jyllands-posten.dk. Retrieved 16 August 2013. finishing with a total of 599 missions flown and 923 precision bombs dropped during the entire Libya intervention.[http://forsvaret.dk/FTK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/missionupdate/Pages/Missionupdate31oktober.aspx Mission update 31. oktober]. Forsvaret.dk. Retrieved 16 August 2013. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528084139/http://forsvaret.dk/FTK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/missionupdate/Pages/Missionupdate31oktober.aspx |date=28 May 2013}}
• France: The French Air Force, which flew the highest percentage of NATO's strikes (35%), participated in the mission with 18 Mirage, 19 Rafale, 6 Mirage F1, 6 Super Etendard, 2 E-2 Hawkeye, 3 Eurocopter Tiger, 16 Aérospatiale Gazelle aircraft. In addition, the French Navy anti-air destroyer {{ship|French frigate|Forbin|D620|2}} and the frigate {{ship|French frigate|Jean Bart|D615|2}} participated in the operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises |title=Libye: début des opérations aériennes françaises |language=fr |publisher=French Ministry of Defense |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=20 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322155812/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises |archive-date=22 March 2011}} On 22 March, the aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}} arrived in international waters near Crete to provide military planners with a rapid-response air combat capability.{{cite web |url=http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/french-aircraft-carrier-to-join-libya-effort-from-greece_137446.html |title=French Aircraft Carrier To Join Libya Effort from Greece |publisher=Expatica Belgium |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501025103/http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/french-aircraft-carrier-to-join-libya-effort-from-greece_137446.html |archive-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=live }} Accompanying Charles de Gaulle were the frigates {{ship|French frigate|Dupleix|D641|2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Aconit|F713|2}}, the fleet replenishment tanker {{ship|French ship|Meuse|A607|2}}, and one {{sclass|Rubis|submarine|0}} nuclear attack submarine.{{cite web |author=Tran, Pierre |title=France Deploys About 20 Aircraft to Enforce Libya No-Fly Zone |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6007194&c=EUR&s=AIR |publisher=DefenseNews |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} France did station three Mirage 2000-5 aircraft and six Mirage 2000D at Souda Bay, Crete.{{cite web |url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_6365_22/03/2011_384167 |title=Greece Will Not Be Neutral on Libya, PM Says |publisher=ekathimerini.com |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501023240/http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_6365_22/03/2011_384167 |archive-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=live }} France also sent an amphibious assault helicopter carrier, the {{ship|French ship|Tonnerre|L9014|2}} (relieved on 14 July by Mistral{{cite web|title=Libya: the LPD Mistral relives the Tonnerre|url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/operations/missions-achevees/operation-harmattan-2011/actualites/libye-le-batiment-de-projection-et-de-commandement-mistral-releve-le-tonnerre|access-date=2020-11-23|website=www.defense.gouv.fr}}), carrying 19 rotorcraft to operate off the coast of Libya.{{cite news|author=Melvin, Don |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-french-official-helicopters-being-sent-to-libya-2011may23-story.html |title=French Official: Helicopters Being Sent to Libya |agency=Associated Press |date=23 May 2011 }} The French Air Force and Navy flew 5600 sorties{{cite web|url=http://www.opex360.com/2011/11/04/loperation-harmattan-en-chiffres/|title = L'Opération Harmattan en chiffres|date = 4 November 2011}} (3100 CAS, 1200 reconnaissance, 400 air superiority, 340 air control, 580 air refueling) and delivered 1205 precision guided munitions (950 LGB and 225 AASM "hammer" missiles, 15 SCALP missiles).{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/missions-achevees/operation-harmattan-2011/actualites/libye-point-de-situation-n-50-bilan-de-l-operation-unified-protector|title=Libye: point de situation n° 50 - bilan de l'opération Unified Protector|website=Defense.gouv.fr|access-date=11 November 2021}} Helicopter forces from Army Aviation aboard Tonnerre and Mistral LHD performed 41 night raids, 316 sorties, and destroyed 450 military objectives. The ammunition delivered were 432 Hot Missiles, 1500 68-mm rockets and 13,500 20- and 30-mm shells by Gazelle and Tigre helicopters. The French Navy provided Naval gunfire support and fired 3000 76- and 100-mm shells from the Jean Bart, Lafayette, Forbin, and Chevalier Paul destroyers.

File:Ghardabiya Airfield - Damaged Aircraft Shelters - Operation Odyssey Dawn.jpg near Sirte, 20 March]]

• Greece: The {{sclass|Elli|frigate|2}} {{ship|Greek frigate|Limnos|F451|2}} of the Hellenic Navy was deployed to the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade.{{cite web |url=http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/ |title=Greek Defence Ministry: No Participation in Operations Outside the NATO |publisher=Keep Talking Greece |date=20 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325064807/http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/ |archive-date=25 March 2011 }} The Hellenic Air Force provided Super Puma search-and-rescue helicopters and few Embraer 145 AEW&C airborne radar planes.{{cite web |url=http://www.skai.gr/player/tv/?mmid=212187 |script-title=el:Πρώτη Γραμμή – ΣΚΑΪ |language=el |publisher=skai.gr |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |title = ΣΚΑΪ Player TV — ΣΚΑΪ (www.skai.gr) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203033724/http://www.skai.gr/player/tv/?mmid=212187 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2011/03/21/greeces-participation-in-operation-against-libya-costs-1-million-euros-daily/ |title=Greece's Participation in Operation against Libya Costs 1 Million Euros Daily |newspaper=Greekreporter.com |publisher=Greek Reporter |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201201747/http://greece.greekreporter.com/2011/03/21/greeces-participation-in-operation-against-libya-costs-1-million-euros-daily/ |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Makris |first1=A. }}{{cite web |url=http://www.skai.gr/news/politics/article/165299/i-rolos-tis-elladas-sto-endehomeno-epemvasis-sti-livui/ |script-title=el:Ο ρόλος της Ελλάδας στο ενδεχόμενο επέμβασης στη Λιβύη – ΣΚΑΪ |language=el |publisher=skai.gr |date=15 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |title = Ο ρόλος της Ελλάδας στο ενδεχόμενο επέμβασης στη Λιβύη — ΣΚΑΪ (www.skai.gr) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212024134/http://www.skai.gr/news/politics/article/165299/i-rolos-tis-elladas-sto-endehomeno-epemvasis-sti-livui/ |archive-date=12 December 2011 |url-status=live }}
• Italy: At the beginning of the operation, as a contribution to enforce the no-fly zone, the Italian government committed four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force in SEAD operations, supported by two Tornado IDS variants in an air-to-air refueling role and four F-16ADF fighters as an escort.{{cite web |url=http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml |title=Nuovi raid, decollati anche i jet italiani L'esercito libico ordina il cessate il fuoco |language=it |work=Corriere della Sera |date=20 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321020216/http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml |archive-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=live }} After the transfer of authority to NATO and the decision to participate in strike air-ground operations, the Italian government increased the Italian contribution by adding four Italian Navy AV-8B plus (from Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi), four Italian Air Force Eurofighters, and four Tornado IDSs under NATO command. Other assets under national command participated in air patrolling and air refueling missions.{{cite web|url=http://www.difesa.it/OPERAZIONI_MILITARI/OPERAZIONI_INTERNAZIONALI_IN_CORSO/LIBIA-ODISSEA-ALBA/Pagine/Contributonazionale.aspx |title=Contributo nazionale operazione "Odissey Dawn" |language=it |publisher=Italian Ministry of Defense |date=11 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720060122/http://www.difesa.it/Operazioni_Militari/Operazioni_internazionali_in_corso/Libia-odissea-alba/Pagine/Contributonazionale.aspx |archive-date=20 July 2011}} As of 24 March, the Italian Navy was engaged in Operation Unified Protector with the light aircraft carrier {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Giuseppe Garibaldi|551|2}}, the {{sclass|Maestrale|frigate|2}} {{ship|Italian frigate|Libeccio|F572|2}} and the auxiliary ship {{ship|Italian oiler|Etna|A5326|2}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.difesa.it/Operazioni+Militari/Operazioni+internazionali+in+corso/Libia_Odissea_all_Alba/notizie_teatro_dett.htm?DetailID=8123 |title = Operazione 'Unified Protector': navi italiane partecipano all'embargo | language = it | publisher=Italian Ministry of Defense |date = 25 March 2011}}{{Dead link|date=May 2015}} Additionally, the {{sclass2|Orizzonte|destroyer|2}} {{ship|Italian destroyer|Andrea Doria|D553|2}} and Maestrale-class frigate {{ship|Italian frigate|Euro|F575|2}} were patrolling off the Sicilian coast in an air-defence role.{{cite web |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/Conosciamoci/Notizie/Pagine/20110321_libriacrisi.aspx |title=La Marina Militare in campo per la crisi libica e i flussi migratori |language=it |publisher=Ministry of Defence of the Italian Republic |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=24 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209042445/http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/notizie/Pagine/20110321_libriacrisi.aspx |archive-date=9 December 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url = http://www.grnet.it/news/95-news/2567-libia-nave-andrea-doria-nel-canale-di-sicilia-con-compiti-di-difesa-aerea-da-attacchi-missilistici.html|title = Libia: nave Andrea Doria nel canale di Sicilia con compiti di difesa aerea da attacchi missilistici|language = it|publisher = GrNet.it|date = 19 March 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141207232928/http://www.grnet.it/news/95-news/2567-libia-nave-andrea-doria-nel-canale-di-sicilia-con-compiti-di-difesa-aerea-da-attacchi-missilistici.html|archive-date = 7 December 2014|df = dmy-all}} At a later stage, Italy increased its contribution to the NATO led mission by doubling the number of AV-8B Harriers and deploying an undisclosed number of AMX fighter-bombers and KC-130J and KC-767A tanker planes. The Italian Air Force also deployed its MQ-9A Reaper UAVs for real time video reconnaissance.[http://www.defensenews.com/article/20111214/DEFSECT01/112140301/Italy-Gives-Bombing-Stats-for-Libya-Campaign Italy Gives Bombing Stats for Libya Campaign | Defense News] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120728162540/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20111214/DEFSECT01/112140301/Italy-Gives-Bombing-Stats-for-Libya-Campaign |date=28 July 2012}}. defensenews.com. Retrieved 16 August 2013.

File:US Navy 110320-A-4520W-108 U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons return to Aviano Air Base after supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn.jpg return to Aviano Air Base in Italy after supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn, on 20 March.]]

• Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support" and act as an escort for Jordanian transport aircraft using the humanitarian corridor to deliver aid and supplies to opposition-held Cyrenaica, according to Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. He did not specify the type of aircraft or what specific roles they may be called upon to perform, though he said they were not intended for combat.{{cite news|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign |publisher=All Headline News |date=6 April 2011 |access-date=9 April 2011 |title=After Hesitation, Jordan Joins in No-Fly Zone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412120322/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign |archive-date=12 April 2011}}
• NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft operated by NATO and crewed by member states helped monitor the airspace over the Mediterranean and in Libya.{{cite web|url=http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece|title=Her letter de på vei mot Libya|date=22 March 2011|publisher=adressa.no|access-date=22 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323111036/http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece|archive-date=23 March 2011|url-status=live}}
• Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force provided six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refueling plane. These aircraft were stationed at the Decimomannu Air Base on Sardinia. Four F-16s flew patrols over Libya, while the other two were kept in reserve.{{cite web|title=Dutch F-16s Operational over Libya|url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya|date=28 March 2011|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|access-date=28 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017170025/http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya|archive-date=17 October 2012}} Additionally, the Royal Netherlands Navy deployed the {{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter}} {{HNLMS|Haarlem|M853|6}} to assist in enforcing the weapons embargo.{{cite web|title=Netherlands To Join NATO Operation Against Libya|url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/netherlands-join-nato-operation-against-libya|date=22 March 2011|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326181738/http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/netherlands-join-nato-operation-against-libya|archive-date=26 March 2011}}
• Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base with corresponding ground crews.{{cite news |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091511 |title=Her flyr norske jagerfly mot Libya |work=Verdens Gang |language=no |first1=Rune Thomas |last1=Ege |first2=Jon |last2=Magnus |first3=Kari Tone |last3=Sperstad |first4=Jostein |last4=Matre |first5=Geir Arne |last5=Kippernes |date=24 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910161300/http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091511 |archive-date=10 September 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/03/24/nyheter/libya/utenriks/muammar_kadhafi/15933136/ |title=To norske F16-fly har tatt av fra Souda Bay-basen |language=no |work=Dagbladet |author1=Egeberg, Kristoffer |author2=Krokfjord, Torgeir P. |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427174005/http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/03/24/nyheter/libya/utenriks/muammar_kadhafi/15933136/ |archive-date=27 April 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294 |title=Norske F-16 kan kan være i kamp denne uken – VG Nett om Libya |language=no |publisher=VG Nett |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324225253/http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294 |archive-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=live }} On 24 March, the Norwegian F-16s were assigned to the US North African command and Operation Odyssey Dawn. It was also reported that Norwegian fighters along with Danish fighters had bombed the most targets in Libya in proportion to the number of planes involved. On 24 June, the number of fighters deployed was reduced from six to four.[http://www.newsinenglish.no/2011/06/13/jets-to-return-from-libya-in-august/ Jets to return from Libya in August] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202062258/http://www.newsinenglish.no/2011/06/13/jets-to-return-from-libya-in-august/ |date=2 December 2011 }}. Newsinenglish.no (13 June 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013. The Norwegian participation in the military efforts against the Libyan government came to an end in late July 2011, by which time Norwegian aircraft had dropped 588 bombs and carried out 615 of the 6493 NATO missions between 31 March and 1 August (not including 19 bombs dropped and 32 missions carried out under operation Odyssey Dawn). 75% of the missions performed by the Royal Norwegian Air Force were so-called SCAR (Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance) missions. US military sources confirmed that on the night of 25 April, two F-16s from the Royal Norwegian Air Force bombed the residence of Gaddafi inside Tripoli.[http://www.nrk.no/fordypning/libya-piloter-snakker-ut-1.10944493 Libya-piloter snakker ut – Fordypning] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314152032/http://www.nrk.no/fordypning/libya-piloter-snakker-ut-1.10944493 |date=14 March 2013 }}. NRK. Retrieved 16 August 2013.[http://forsvaret.no/operasjoner/operasjoner-i-utlandet/libya/Sider/Oppsummerte-fakta-om-bidraget.aspx Oppsummerte fakta om bidraget]{{Dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} (Norwegian)

File:Royal Air Force Striking Libyan Warship MOD 45155730.jpg Tornado GR4 attacks a Libyan warship in Al Khums naval base, on 20 May 2011.]]

• Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces contributed with six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft to coalition no-fly zone enforcement efforts.{{cite news|url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123248695/ |title=New Coalition Member Flies First Sortie Enforcing No-Fly Zone over Libya |publisher=Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn Public Affairs |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=15 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504233801/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695 |archive-date=4 May 2011}} The Qatari aircraft were stationed in Crete. At later stages in the Operation, Qatari Special Forces had been assisting in operations, including the training of the Tripoli Brigade and rebel forces in Benghazi and the Nafusa mountains. Qatar also brought small groups of Libyans to Qatar for small-unit leadership training in preparation for the rebel advance on Tripoli in August.{{cite book|editor1=Kjell Engelbrekt|editor2=Marcus Mohlin|editor3=Charlotte Wagnsson|author1=Jeffrey H. Michaels|title=The NATO Intervention in Libya: Lessons learned from the campaign|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn= 978-0-415-70549-3 |page=31}}
• Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces participated in the naval blockade with the frigate {{ship|Romanian frigate|Regele Ferdinand||2}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm |title=Traian Basescu: Romania va trimite fregata Regele Ferdinand cu 205 militari in Mediterana pentru operatiuni de blocare a oricarei nave suspecte ca transporta armament |publisher=HotNews.ro |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |language=ro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325033747/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm |archive-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=live }}
• Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces participated with six F-18 fighters, two Boeing 707-331B(KC) tanker aircraft, the {{sclass|Álvaro de Bazán|frigate|2}} {{ship|Spanish frigate|Méndez Núñez|F104|2}}, the submarine {{ship|Spanish submarine|Tramontana|S74|2}} and two CN-235 MPA maritime surveillance planes. Spain participated in air control and maritime surveillance missions to prevent the inflow of arms to the Libyan regime. Spain also made the Spanish air base at Rota available to NATO.{{cite news|url = http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes|title = España intervendrá con cuatro cazas F-18 | language = es | work = El País |date = 19 March 2011}}
• Sweden: The Swedish Air Force committed eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign after being asked by NATO to take part in the operations on 28 March.{{cite news |title=Riksdagen gav klartecken till Lybienstyrkan - rapport |newspaper=SVT Nyheter |date=April 2011 |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/riksdagen-gav-klartecken-till-libyenstyrkan |publisher=svt.se |access-date=1 June 2022 |language=sv|last1=Magnusson |first1=Örjan }}{{cite web|url=http://svt.se/2.22584/1.2374883/nato_har_fragat_sverige_om_jas-plan_till_libyen |title=Nato har frågat Sverige om Jas-plan till Libyen – rapport |publisher=svt.se |date=28 March 2011 |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401104642/http://svt.se/2.22584/1.2374883/nato_har_fragat_sverige_om_jas-plan_till_libyen |archive-date=1 April 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission |title=Sweden Offers Eight Fighter Jets for Libya Mission |publisher=The Swedish Wire |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325153449/http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission |archive-date=25 March 2011 }} Sweden also sent a Saab 340 AEW&C for airborne early warning and control and a C-130 Hercules for aerial refueling.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/32958/20110401/ |title=Swedish House Votes for Libya Mission |publisher=thelocal.se |date=1 April 2011 |access-date=1 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110403105654/http://www.thelocal.se/32958/20110401/| archive-date= 3 April 2011 | url-status= live}} Sweden was the only country neither a member of NATO nor the Arab League to participate in the no-fly zone.
• Turkey: The Turkish Navy participated by sending the {{sclass|Barbaros|frigate|2}}s, TCG Yildirim & TCG Orucreis, the {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}}s, TCG Gemlik & TCG Giresun, the tanker TCG Akar, and the submarine TCG Yildiray to the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo.{{cite web |date=24 March 2011 |title=>Turkish Contribution to NATO Operations off Libya Takes Shape |url=https://turkishnavy.net/2011/03/24/turkish-contribution-to-nato-operations-off-libya-takes-shape/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404062620/http://turkishnavy.net/2011/03/24/turkish-contribution-to-nato-operations-off-libya-takes-shape/ |archive-date=4 April 2011 |access-date=16 June 2019}} It also provided six F-16 jets for aerial operations.{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,752650,00.html |title=Nato startet Seeblockade gegen Gaddafi |language=de |work=Der Spiegel |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324193313/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,752650,00.html |archive-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=live }} On 24 March, Turkey's parliament approved Turkish participation in military operations in Libya, including enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya.{{cite news |url=http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/03/24/news/nation_and_world/doc4d8b80ea4437f164011195.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905115152/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/03/24/news/nation_and_world/doc4d8b80ea4437f164011195.txt|archive-date=5 September 2012|title=Parliament OKs Turkey's Involvement in Libya |work=The Oakland Press |date=24 March 2011 |agency=Associated Press|access-date=16 January 2012|location=Ankara}}

File:Tornado GR4 Targetting Libyan Tank MOD 45155739.jpg

• United Arab Emirates: On 24 March, the United Arab Emirates Air Force sent six F-16 and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission. This was also the first combat deployment of the Desert Falcon variant of F-16, which was the most sophisticated F-16 variant at the time. The planes were based at the Italian Decimomannu air base on Sardinia.{{cite news|url=http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews |title=UAE Updates Support to UN Resolution 1973 |date=24 March 2011 |publisher=WAM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721080950/http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews |archive-date=21 July 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-24|publisher=Al Jazeera|title=Libya Live Blog – March 24|date=24 March 2011|access-date=25 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110324161128/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-24| archive-date= 24 March 2011 | url-status= live}}
• United Kingdom: The UK had SAS around 250 forces deployed on the ground in Libya since March, with an additional 100 arriving following the official start of the intervention. The UK deployed the Royal Navy frigates {{HMS|Westminster|F237|6}} and {{HMS|Cumberland|F85|6}}, nuclear attack submarines {{HMS|Triumph|S93|6}} and {{HMS|Turbulent|S87|6}}, the destroyer {{HMS|Liverpool|D92|6}} and the mine countermeasure vessel {{HMS|Brocklesby|M33|6}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm |title= Typhoon Joins Tornado in Libya Ground Attack Operations |publisher=Ministry of Defence |location=UK |access-date=19 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110422151027/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm| archive-date= 22 April 2011 | url-status= live}} The Royal Air Force participated with 16 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13538708 | work=BBC News | title=Libya Typhoon Pilots Sent Home after 'Night Out' | date=25 May 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102113815/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13538708 | archive-date=2 November 2019 | url-status=live }} operating initially from Great Britain, but later forward deployed to the Italian base at Gioia del Colle. Nimrod R1 and Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft were forward deployed to RAF Akrotiri in support of the action. In addition, the RAF deployed a number of other support aircraft such as the Sentry AEW.1 AWACS aircraft and VC10 air-to-air refueling tankers. According to anonymous sources, members of the SAS, SBS, and Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) helped to coordinate the air strikes on the ground in Libya.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/04/libya-uk-increase-tornado-jets |title=Libya: UK To Increase Number of Tornado Jets |access-date=4 April 2011 |date=4 April 2011 |work=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407122047/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/04/libya-uk-increase-tornado-jets |archive-date=7 April 2011 |author=Wintour, Patrick |url-status=live}} On 27 May, the UK deployed four UK Apache helicopters on board {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/ApachesGetReadyToHelpProtectLibyanCivilians.htm |title=Apaches Get Ready To Help Protect Libyan Civilians |publisher=Ministry of Defence (UK) |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018125919/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/ApachesGetReadyToHelpProtectLibyanCivilians.htm |archive-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=live }}
• United States: The US deployed a naval force of 11 ships, including the amphibious assault ship {{USS|Kearsarge|LHD-3|6}}, the amphibious transport dock {{USS|Ponce|LPD-15|6}}, the guided-missile destroyers {{USS|Barry|DDG-52|6}} and {{USS|Stout|DDG-55|6}}, the nuclear attack submarines {{USS|Providence|SSN-719|6}} and {{USS|Scranton|SSN-756|6}}, the cruise missile submarine {{USS|Florida|SSGN-728|6}} and the amphibious command ship {{USS|Mount Whitney|LCC-20|6}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/World/News/Libya-no-fly-zone-should-be-easy-20110318?amp |title=Libya No-Fly Zone Should Be 'Easy' |access-date=19 March 2011 |date=19 March 2011 |work=News24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305014226/http://www.news24.com/World/News/Libya-no-fly-zone-should-be-easy-20110318?amp |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=w6299809 |title=Danish F-16s Land in Sicily, Canada, Spain, U.S. Jets Flying in for Action Against Libya |access-date=19 March 2011 |date=19 March 2011 |work=Maclean's |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204225452/http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=w6299809 |archive-date=4 December 2011 |url-status=live}} Additionally, A-10 ground-attack aircraft, two B-1B bombers,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/us/29military.html|title=U.S. Gives Its Air Power Expansive Role in Libya|last=Schmitt|first=Eric|date=2011-03-28|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2018-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401145709/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/us/29military.html|archive-date=1 April 2011|url-status=live}} three Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers,{{cite magazine|last=Tirpak|first=John A.|date=July 2011|title=Bombers Over Libya|url=http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Documents/2011/July%202011/0711libya.pdf|magazine=Air Force Magazine|location=US|publisher=Air Force Association|access-date=2018-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401140103/http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Documents/2011/July%202011/0711libya.pdf|archive-date=1 April 2016|url-status=live}} AV-8B Harrier II jump-jets, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, P-3 Orions, and both McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle[http://www.defencetalk.com/f-15e-incident-in-libya-crew-recovered-32978/ F-15E incident in Libya; crew recovered | Aviation & Air Force News at DefenceTalk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917052811/http://www.defencetalk.com/f-15e-incident-in-libya-crew-recovered-32978/ |date=17 September 2012 }}. Defencetalk.com (23 March 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013. and F-16 fighters were involved in action over Libya.{{cite news|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/20/libya-live-blog-allied-airstrikes-continue-against-gadhafi-forces/?hpt=T1/|title=Libya Live Blog: Benghazi Doctor Says 95 People Killed by Pro-Gadhafi Assault|publisher=CNN|date=20 March 2011|access-date=21 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419112901/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/20/libya-live-blog-allied-airstrikes-continue-against-gadhafi-forces/?hpt=T1%2F|archive-date=19 April 2015|url-status=dead}} U-2 reconnaissance aircraft were stationed on Cyprus. On 18 March, two AC-130Us arrived at RAF Mildenhall as well as additional tanker aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} On 24 March 2 E-8Cs operated from Naval Station Rota Spain, which indicated an increase of ground attacks.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} An undisclosed number of CIA operatives were said to be in Libya to gather intelligence for airstrikes and make contacts with rebels.{{cite news |first1=Mark |last1=Mazzetti |first2=Eric |last2=Schmitt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/world/africa/31intel.html |title=C.I.A. in Libya Aiding Rebels, U.S. Officials Say |work=The New York Times |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216230449/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/world/africa/31intel.html |archive-date=16 February 2019 |url-status=live }} The US also used MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-april-23|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=23 April 2011|access-date=24 April 2011|title=Libya Live Blog – April 23| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110423103538/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-april-23| archive-date= 23 April 2011 | url-status= live}}

File:US Navy 030114-N-XXXXX-001 USS Florida launches a Tomahawk cruise missile during Giant Shadow in the waters off the coast of the Bahamas.jpg|{{USS|Florida|SSGN-728|6}} launching a Tomahawk cruise missile

File:HMS Cumberland and CVN-69.jpg|Naval blockade by British frigate {{HMS|Cumberland|F85|6}} (here pictured with {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6}} in view)

File:ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551).jpg|Italian aircraft carrier {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Giuseppe Garibaldi|551|2}}

File:Charles De Gaulle (R91) underway 2009.jpg|French aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}}

File:Regele Ferdinand Frigate 23.jpg|Naval blockade by Romanian frigate {{ship|Romanian frigate|Regele Ferdinand||2}}

File:B-2 Spirit supporting operation Odyssey Dawn.jpg|American stealth bomber, B-2 Spirit

File:Dassault Mirage 2000-5 participating in Odyssey Dawn.jpg|Qatari Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jet

File:Eurofighter Typhoon 02.jpg|Eurofighter Typhoon of the Italian Air Force

File:S 100B at Malmen 2010-06-13 2.jpg|Swedish Saab S 100B Argus airborne early warning

File:Aerial refueling MD F-A-18A Hornet - Boeing 707-331B - Spain National Day.jpg|Spanish KC-135 refuels two F-18s

File:CF-18, Hornet.jpg|A CF-18 Hornet of the Royal Canadian Air Force

File:Kecskemet 2010 Belgian F-16 photo 41.jpg|An F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Belgian Air Component

File:French frigate chevalier Paul.jpg|French Destroyer Chevalier Paul provided naval gun support

File:Andrea Doria (D 553).jpg|Italian Destroyer Andrea Doria provided air-defence role

File:Tonnerre (L9014).jpg|French Assault ship Tonnere

File:Rafale receives fuel from a KC-10.jpg|French Rafale receives fuel from a KC-10

File:Qatari C-17 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.JPG, Turkey.]]

• France: Saint-Dizier, Dijon, Nancy, Istres, Solenzara, Avord{{cite news |title=Le ravitaillement en vol des chasseurs, maillon crucial des opérations aériennes |work=Romandie News |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.romandie.com/infos/news2/110322193645.qjum8lzx.asp |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=30 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718164001/http://www.romandie.com/infos/news2/110322193645.qjum8lzx.asp |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=live }}
• Greece: Souda, Aktion, Araxos, and Andravida{{cite web |url=http://www.tanea.gr/default.asp?pid=41&nid=1231100410 |publisher=TA NEA On-line |title=Χωρίς τα F-16 η ελληνική συνδρομή στην επέμβαση στη Λιβύη |date=29 April 2010 |access-date=21 March 2011 |language=el |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324131538/http://www.tanea.gr/default.asp?pid=41&nid=1231100410 |archive-date=24 March 2011 }}
• Italy: Amendola, Decimomannu, Gioia del Colle, Trapani, Pantelleria, Capodichino{{cite web|title=Libia, inizia l'operazione Odissea all'alba Napoli quartier generale dell'offensiva: "A Capodichino si decide quando colpire"|url=http://www.ilmattino.it/articolo.php?id=142481&sez=NAPOLI|publisher=Il Mattino.It|date=19 March 2011|access-date=19 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724083049/http://www.ilmattino.it/articolo.php?id=142481&sez=NAPOLI|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=live}}
• Spain: Rota, Morón, Torrejón{{cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Missile-carrying/Spanish/F18s/poised/to/begin/patrols/across/Libyan/airspace/elpepueng/20110320elpeng_8/Ten|title=Missile-carrying Spanish F18s poised to begin patrols across Libyan airspace|publisher=ELPAÍS.com|date=20 March 2011|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626041031/http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Missile-carrying/Spanish/F18s/poised/to/begin/patrols/across/Libyan/airspace/elpepueng/20110320elpeng_8/Ten}}
• Turkey: Incirlik, İzmir{{cite news|url=http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=6339 |title=Incirlik Airmen Support Operation Odyssey Dawn |author=Hyatt, Anthony J. |publisher=United States Africa Command |date=26 March 2011 |access-date=30 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720133405/http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=6339 |archive-date=20 July 2011}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-usa-military-idUSTRE72H60520110318 |title=Factbox: U.S. Military Resources as Libya Action Looms |author=Ryan, Missy |work=Reuters |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=30 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321113703/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-usa-military-idUSTRE72H60520110318 |archive-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=live }}
• United Kingdom: RAF Akrotiri, RAF Marham, RAF Waddington, RAF Leuchars, RAF Brize Norton, Aviano (IT){{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwaddington/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=A80CB70A-5056-A318-A8C6615C242ECFC4|publisher=Royal Air Force, RAF Waddington|date=9 March 2011|title=Op Deference|access-date=23 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405225424/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwaddington/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=A80CB70A-5056-A318-A8C6615C242ECFC4|archive-date=5 April 2011|url-status=live}}
• United States: Aviano (IT), RAF Lakenheath (UK), RAF Mildenhall (UK), Sigonella (IT), Spangdahlem (GE),{{cite web |url=https://www.spangdahlem.af.mil |title=Spangdahlem Air Base |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303013242/http://www.spangdahlem.af.mil/ |archive-date=3 March 2011 |url-status=live }} Ellsworth AFB (US)

{{anchor|Action taken by international forces}}

• Albania: Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that Albania was ready to help. Berisha supported the decision of the coalition to protect civilians from the Gaddafi regime. He also offered assistance to facilitate the coalition's actions. A press release from the Prime Minister's office stated that these operations are entirely legitimate, with their main objective being the protection of freedom and the universal rights that Libyans deserve.{{cite web|url = http://english.albeu.com/albania-news/albania-supports-the-attacks-on-libya/32495/|title = Albania supports the attacks on Libya|publisher = Albeu|date = 20 March 2011|access-date = 21 March 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110323024547/http://english.albeu.com/albania-news/albania-supports-the-attacks-on-libya/32495/|archive-date = 23 March 2011}} On 29 March, Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto said Albania would open its airspace and territorial waters to coalition forces and said its seaports and airports were at the coalition's disposal upon request. He also suggested that Albania could help with international humanitarian efforts.{{cite news|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2011/03/30/nb-09 |work=Southeast European Times |date=30 March 2011 |access-date=24 April 2011 |title=Albania supports international coalition on Libya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401173045/http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2011/03/30/nb-09 |archive-date=1 April 2011}} In mid-April, the International Business Times listed Albania alongside several other NATO member states, including Romania and Turkey, that have made modest contributions to the military effort, but it did not go into detail.{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/134953/20110415/nato-libya-air-strikes-uk-us-france.htm|work=International Business Times|title=Almost half of NATO members not offering any military support to Libya campaign|date=15 April 2011|access-date=24 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426233301/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/134953/20110415/nato-libya-air-strikes-uk-us-france.htm|archive-date=26 April 2011|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=May 2020|reason=Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Perennial sources#International Business Times}}
• Australia: Prime Minister Julia Gillard and others in her Labor government said Australia would not contribute militarily to enforcement of the UN mandate despite registering strong support for the mandate. The opposition Liberal Party{{'s}} defence spokesman called upon the government to consider dispatching Australian military assets if requested by NATO.{{cite news|url=http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201103/3169576.htm?desktop |agency=Australia Network News |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=24 March 2011 |title=US To Ease Military Action in Libya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620151553/http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201103/3169576.htm?desktop |archive-date=20 June 2012}} Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the government would be willing to send C-17 Globemaster heavy transport planes for use in international operations "as part of a humanitarian contribution", if needed.{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/aust-prepared-to-send-c17s-to-libya-smith-20110310-1bo7h.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Aust Prepared To Send C17s to Libya: Smith|author=Wald, Tom|date=10 March 2011|access-date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314035728/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/aust-prepared-to-send-c17s-to-libya-smith-20110310-1bo7h.html|archive-date=14 March 2011|url-status=live}} On 27 April Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd described Australia as the "third largest [humanitarian contributor to Libya] globally after the United States and the European Union", after a humanitarian aid ship funded by the Australian government docked in Misrata.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-funding-libyan-evacuation-ship-reveals-rudd-20110427-1dwx0.html|work=The Age|date=28 April 2011|access-date=30 April 2011|title=Australia Funding Libyan Evacuation Ship, Reveals Rudd|author=Willingham, Richard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506095617/http://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-funding-libyan-evacuation-ship-reveals-rudd-20110427-1dwx0.html|archive-date=6 May 2011|url-status=live}}
• Croatia: President Ivo Josipović said that if necessary Croatia would honour its NATO membership and participate in actions in Libya. He also stressed that while Croatia was ready for military participation according to its capabilities, it would mostly endeavor to help on the humanitarian side.{{cite web |last=Šoljaga |first=Ana Kandare |date=21 March 2011 |title=Ako bude potrebno, RH će sudjelovati u akcijama u Libiji |trans-title=If necessary, Croatia will participate in actions in Libya |url=http://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/ako-bude-potrebno-rh-ce-sudjelovati-u-akcijama-u-libiji.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121190907/http://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/ako-bude-potrebno-rh-ce-sudjelovati-u-akcijama-u-libiji.html |archive-date=21 November 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |website=Dnevnik.hr |language=hr}} On 29 April, the government announced it planned to send two Croatian Army officers to assist with Operation Unified Protector, pending formal presidential and parliamentary approval.{{cite news|date=29 April 2011 |access-date=30 April 2011 |url=http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/General_News/2011-04-29/18912/Croatia_to_send_two_officers_for_NATO%B4s_Libya_mission |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731105228/http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/General_News/2011-04-29/18912/Croatia_to_send_two_officers_for_NATO%B4s_Libya_mission |archive-date=31 July 2012 |title=Croatia to send two officers for NATO's Libya mission}}
• Cyprus: After the passage of UNSCR 1973, President Demetris Christofias asked the British government not to use its military base at Akrotiri, an overseas territory of the UK on the island, in support of the intervention. However, this request had no legal weight as Cyprus could not legally bar the UK from using the base.{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE72J2NJ20110320|work=Reuters|date=20 March 2011|access-date=9 April 2011|title=Cyprus Says Against Use of British Bases for Libya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423133048/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE72J2NJ20110320|archive-date=23 April 2011}} The Cypriot government reluctantly allowed Qatar Emiri Air Force fighter jets and a transport plane to refuel at Larnaca International Airport on 22 March after their pilots declared a fuel emergency while in transit to Crete for participation in military operations.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/qatari-warplanes-refuel-cyprus/20110323 |work=Cyprus Mail |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=9 April 2011 |first=Elias |last=Hazou |title=Qatari warplanes refuel in Cyprus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325235401/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/qatari-warplanes-refuel-cyprus/20110323 |archive-date=25 March 2011}}
• Estonia: Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said on 18 March that his country had no current plans to join in military operations in Libya, but it would be willing to participate if called on to do so by NATO or the EU.{{cite news|url=http://www.eata.ee/en/2011/03/estonia-contributes-humanitarian-aid-not-troops-to-libya.html |agency=Eesti NATO Ühing (Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association) |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=9 April 2011 |title=Estonia contributes humanitarian aid, not troops, to Libya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322114802/http://www.eata.ee/en/2011/03/estonia-contributes-humanitarian-aid-not-troops-to-libya.html |archive-date=22 March 2012}} The Estonian Air Force does not {{As of|2023|lc=y}} operate any combat aircraft, although it does operate a few helicopters and transport planes.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=World Air Forces 2023 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688 |access-date=2 July 2023 |website=FlightGlobal |format=PDF}}
• European Union: Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb announced that the proposed EUFOR Libya operation was being prepared, and was waiting for a request from the UN.{{cite news |last=Pop |first=Valentina |date=12 April 2011 |title=Foreign ministers wary of EU military role in Libya |work=EUobserver |url=http://euobserver.com/9/32165 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203034602/https://euobserver.com/news/32165 |archive-date=3 February 2023}}
• Germany: In March the country withdrew all its forces from NATO operations in the Mediterranean Sea, as its government decided not to take part in any military operations against Libya. However, it was increasing the number of AWACS personnel in Afghanistan by up to 300 to free up the forces of other states. Germany allowed the usage of military installations in its territory for intervention in Libya.{{cite news |last=Neuerer |first=Dietmar |date=23 March 2011 |title=Deutschland sucht Ausweg aus der Libyen-Falle |language=de |trans-title=Germany is looking for a way out of the Libya trap |work=Handelsblatt |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/deutschland-sucht-ausweg-aus-der-libyen-falle/3980818.html |access-date=4 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326184303/http://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/deutschland-sucht-ausweg-aus-der-libyen-falle/3980818.html |archive-date=26 March 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,752222,00.html |title=Turkey Blocks NATO Mission in Libya |date=21 March 2011 |work=Der Spiegel |access-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323233052/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,752222,00.html |archive-date=23 March 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.acus.org/natosource/germany-mulls-afghan-option-after-libya-abstention|title=Germany mulls Afghan option after Libya abstention|publisher=Atlantic Council|date=18 March 2011|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003014152/http://www.acus.org/natosource/germany-mulls-afghan-option-after-libya-abstention|archive-date=3 October 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14942840,00.html?maca=en-tagesschau_englisch-335-rdf-mp|title=More German troops to be sent to Afghanistan |date=26 March 2011| work=DW}} On 8 April, German officials suggested that the country could potentially contribute troops to "[ensure] with military means that humanitarian aid gets to those who need it".{{cite news|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-april-8|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=8 April 2011|access-date=9 April 2011|title=Libya Live Blog – April 8| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110408102640/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-april-8| archive-date= 8 April 2011 | url-status= live}} As of early June, the German government was reportedly considering opening a center for training police in Benghazi.{{cite news|url=http://www.irna.ir/ENNewsShow.aspx?NID=30422352&SRCH=1 |agency=Islamic Republic News Agency |title=Germany mulls police training in rebel-held Benghazi |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=9 June 2011}}{{Dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} On 24 July, Germany lent 100 million Euros (144 million US dollars) to the rebels for "civilian and humanitarian purposes".
• Indonesia: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for a ceasefire by all sides, but said that if a UN peacekeeping force was established to monitor a potential truce, "Indonesia is more than willing to take part."{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/turkey-indonesia-call-for-ceasefire-in-libya/433604 |work=Jakarta Globe |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=9 April 2011 |title=Turkey, Indonesia Call for Ceasefire in Libya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420140900/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/turkey-indonesia-call-for-ceasefire-in-libya/433604 |archive-date=20 April 2011}}
• Kuwait: The Arab state would make a "logistic contribution", according to British Prime Minister David Cameron.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23 |title=Libya Live Blog – March 23 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323105338/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23 |archive-date=23 March 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418 |title=Libya Crisis |work= BBC News |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110322142004/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418| archive-date= 22 March 2011 | url-status= live}}
• Malta: Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said no coalition forces would be allowed to stage from military bases in Malta, but Maltese airspace would be open to international forces involved in the intervention.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110319/local/priority-is-safety-of-malta-gonzi|work=The Times|location=Malta|date=19 March 2011|access-date=9 April 2011|title=Priority is safety of Malta– Gonzi|first=Christian|last=Peregrin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322030140/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110319/local/priority-is-safety-of-malta-gonzi|archive-date=22 March 2011|url-status=live}} On 20 April, two French Mirages were reportedly allowed to make emergency landings in Malta after running low on fuel.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110421/world/Foreign-military-advisers-for-Libyan-rebel-bastion.361564|date=21 April 2011|access-date=23 April 2011|title=Foreign Military Advisers for Libyan Rebel Bastion|work=The Times|location=Malta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424140356/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110421/world/Foreign-military-advisers-for-Libyan-rebel-bastion.361564|archive-date=24 April 2011|url-status=live}}
• Poland: US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, UK Secretary of Defence Liam Fox, and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged the Polish government to contribute to military operations. As of June, Warsaw had not committed to participation.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304778304576373793280428126|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=9 June 2011|access-date=9 June 2011|title=Gates Calls Others to Join Libya Fight|first1=Stephen|last1=Fidler|first2=Julian|last2=Barnes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201201747/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304778304576373793280428126|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}{{Update inline|date=June 2023}}
• Sudan: The government "quietly granted permission" for coalition states to traverse its airspace for operations in the Libyan theatre if necessary, Reuters reported in late March.{{cite news |date=26 March 2011 |title=Sudan allows use of airspace for Libya raids |work=The Gulf Today |publisher= |agency=Reuters |url=http://gulftoday.ae/portal/0541d362-7d51-4f53-afd1-f225ca1e2c41.aspx |access-date=9 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719151548/http://gulftoday.ae/portal/0541d362-7d51-4f53-afd1-f225ca1e2c41.aspx |archive-date=19 July 2011}}

:14 May: NATO air strike hit a large number of people gathered for Friday prayers in the eastern city of Brega leaving 11 religious leaders dead and 50 others wounded.{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/168587/Libya-buries-dead-imams-killed-in-nato-strike/ |title=Libya Buries Dead Imams Killed in NATO Strike | agency = Agence France-Presse|work=The Express Tribune|date=14 May 2011 |access-date=19 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110702033717/http://tribune.com.pk/story/168587/libya-buries-dead-imams-killed-in-nato-strike/| archive-date= 2 July 2011 | url-status= live}}

:24 May: NATO air strikes in Tripoli kill 19 civilians and wound 150, according to Libyan state television.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfrommiddleeast.com/?new=78030 |title=NATO Air Strikes in Tripoli Kill 19 Civilians: Libyan TV|work=News From Middle East |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=19 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110722124010/http://www.newsfrommiddleeast.com/?new=78030| archive-date= 22 July 2011 | url-status= usurped}}

:31 May: Libya claims that NATO strikes have left up to 718 civilians dead.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/libya-says-nato-raids-killed-718-civilians |title=Libya says NATO raids killed 718 civilians |work=Radio Netherlands Worldwide |date=31 May 2011 |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603233637/http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/libya-says-nato-raids-killed-718-civilians |archive-date=3 June 2011 }}

:19 June: NATO air strikes hit a residential house in Tripoli, killing seven civilians, according to Libyan state television.{{cite web |url=http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=6209 |title=NATO Air Strikes Hit Residential House, Kill Seven Civilians |work=Tripoli Post |access-date=19 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721192141/http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=6209 |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}

:20 June: A NATO airstrike in Sorman, near Tripoli, killed fifteen civilians, according to government officials. Eight rockets apparently hit the compound of a senior government official, in an area where NATO confirmed operations had taken place.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13843798 |title=Libya: Nato 'Killed 15 Civilians' in Sorman Air Strike |work=BBC News |date=20 June 2011 |access-date=23 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624020034/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13843798 |archive-date=24 June 2011 |url-status=live}}

:25 June: NATO strikes on Brega hit a bakery and a restaurant, killing 15 civilians and wounding 20 more, Libyan state television claimed. The report further accused the coalition of "crimes against humanity". The claims were denied by NATO.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-06-25-Libya-NATO-airstrike_n.htm|title=Libyan state media say NATO airstrike kills 15|location=Tripoli|date=26 June 2011|access-date=16 January 2012|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902130433/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-06-25-Libya-NATO-airstrike_n.htm|archive-date=2 September 2011|url-status=live}}

:28 June: NATO airstrike on the town of Tawergha, 300 km east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli kills eight civilians.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

:25 July: NATO airstrike on a medical clinic in Zliten kills 11 civilians, though the claim was denied by NATO, who said they hit a vehicle depot and communications center.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/25/libya.fighting/index.html |title=Libya's Zlitan increasingly in rebel, NATO sights |publisher=CNN |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726222641/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/25/libya.fighting/index.html |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|author=Hafez Ahmed|url=http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=34314&date=2011-07-26|title=NATO raids clinic in Libya: 7 killed|work=News Today|date=26 July 2011|access-date=14 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204201058/http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=34314&date=2011-07-26|archive-date=4 December 2011|url-status=live}}

:20 July: NATO attacks Libyan state TV, Al-Jamahiriya. Three journalists killed.{{cite web |url=http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=644625&vId= |title=NATO raid in Libya kills 3 reporters |publisher=Sky News |date=31 July 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204205205/http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=644625&vId= |archive-date=4 December 2011 |url-status=live }}

:9 August: Libyan government claims 85 civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike in Majer, a village near Zliten. A spokesman confirms that NATO bombed Zliten at 2:34 a.m. on 9 August,{{cite news|url=http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=108593 |title=Photographic Evidence of NATO War Crimes |work=Pakistan Observer |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=12 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316085435/http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=108593 |archive-date=16 March 2012}} but says he was unable to confirm the casualties. Commander of the NATO military mission, Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard says "I cannot believe that 85 civilians were present when we struck in the wee hours of the morning, and given our intelligence. But I cannot assure you that there were none at all".{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hKpomyAdd4B-pnAriRgoZnOb_CvA?docId=CNG.884081aef56acf1a58718197b01abfb5.11 |title=Libya slams UN chief over civilian deaths comments |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=13 August 2011 |access-date=13 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131013826/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hKpomyAdd4B-pnAriRgoZnOb_CvA?docId=CNG.884081aef56acf1a58718197b01abfb5.11 |archive-date=31 January 2013}}

:15 September: Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim declares that NATO air strikes killed 354 civilians and wounded 700 others, while 89 other civilians are supposedly missing. He also claims that over 2,000 civilians have been killed by NATO air strikes since 1 September.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nato-strikes-kill-354-says-gaddafis-spokesman-2356574.html|title=Nato strikes 'kill 354', says Gaddafi's spokesman|work=The Independent|date=18 September 2011|access-date=19 September 2011|first=Kim|last=Sengupta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925025318/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nato-strikes-kill-354-says-gaddafis-spokesman-2356574.html|archive-date=25 September 2011|url-status=live}} NATO denied the claims, saying they were unfounded.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-sirte-idUSTRE78L26X20110922 | title=NATO Strikes, NTC Kill 151 in Sirte: Gaddafi Aide | work=Reuters | date=22 September 2011 | access-date=30 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830063531/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/22/us-libya-sirte-idUSTRE78L26X20110922 | archive-date=30 August 2014 | url-status=live }}

:2 March 2012: United Nations Human Rights Council release their report about the aftermath of the Libyan civil war, concluding that in total 60 civilians were killed and 55 wounded by the NATO air campaign. In the same report, the UN Human Rights Council concludes that NATO "conducted a highly precise campaign with a demonstrable determination to avoid civilian casualties".{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/03/03/world/africa/united-nations-report-on-libya.html | title=International Commission of Inquiry on Libya Report | access-date=23 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703011342/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/03/03/world/africa/united-nations-report-on-libya.html?_r=0 | archive-date=3 July 2017 | url-status=live }} In May that same year, Human Rights Watch published a report claiming that at least 72 civilians were killed.

File:P9184302.jpg, Czech Republic, six months before the accident. Both crew members ejected and were rescued.]]

• 22 March 2011: One USAF F-15E flying from Aviano crashed in Bu Marim, northwest of Benghazi. The pilot was rescued alive by US Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit based on the {{USS|Kearsarge|LHD-3|6}}. The weapons systems officer evaded hostile forces and was subsequently repatriated by Italian forces.[http://christianfighterpilot.com/blog/2012/01/18/f-15-wso-ejected-over-libya-called-dad/ F-15 WSO Ejected over Libya. Called Dad. | God and Country] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054016/http://christianfighterpilot.com/blog/2012/01/18/f-15-wso-ejected-over-libya-called-dad/ |date=8 August 2014 }}. Christianfighterpilot.com (18 January 2012). Retrieved 16 August 2013.[https://www.reuters.com/article/libya-usa-crash-safe-idUSN2213606920110322 Second crewman from crashed US jet in Libya rescued] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119033346/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/22/libya-usa-crash-safe-idUSN2213606920110322 |date=19 November 2015 }}. Reuters. Retrieved 16 August 2013. The aircraft crashed due to a mechanical failure.{{cite web|url=http://usaf.aib.law.af.mil/ExecSum2011/F-15E_Libya_21%20Mar%2011.pdf |title=UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD REPORT |access-date=2011-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121233954/http://usaf.aib.law.af.mil/ExecSum2011/F-15E_Libya_21%20Mar%2011.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2012}} The rescue operation involved two Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft, two Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters, and two McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, all launched from the USS Kearsarge. The operation involved the Harriers' dropping {{convert|227|kg|abbr=on}} bombs and strafing the area around the crash site before an Osprey recovered at least one of the downed aircraft's crew;{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/23/354704/usmc-reveals-details-of-f-15e-pilot-rescue.html |title=USMC Reveals Details of F-15E Pilot Rescue |work=Flight International |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=7 August 2011 |author=Hoyle, Craig |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326102409/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/23/354704/usmc-reveals-details-of-f-15e-pilot-rescue.html |archive-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8402156/Libya-US-warplanes-carried-out-strafing-runs-to-rescue-downed-pilot.html | title=Libya: US Warplanes 'Carried Out Strafing Runs' To Rescue Downed Pilot – US Warplanes Conducted Strafing Runs During an Operation To Rescue a Downed Fighter Pilot, a Military Source Told The Daily Telegraph | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=23 March 2011 | access-date=7 August 2011 | first=Nick | last=Squires | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326044610/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8402156/Libya-US-warplanes-carried-out-strafing-runs-to-rescue-downed-pilot.html | archive-date=26 March 2011 | url-status=live }} injuring six local civilians in the process.{{cite news | url=http://www.channel4.com/news/third-night-of-bombing-in-libya | title=Six Libyan Villagers Shot by US Team Rescuing Pilot | work=Channel 4 News | date=22 March 2011 | access-date=7 August 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110701085945/http://www.channel4.com/news/third-night-of-bombing-in-libya| archive-date= 1 July 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/27/f15.crew.libya.rescue/index.html?hpt=T2 | title=Downed F-15 Crew on Libya Rescue: 'The Best Feeling' | publisher=CNN | date=28 April 2011 | access-date=7 August 2011 | first=Larry | last=Shaughnessy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110132938/http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/27/f15.crew.libya.rescue/index.html?hpt=T2 | archive-date=10 November 2012 | url-status=live }}
• 27 April 2011: An F-16 from the United Arab Emirates Air Force crashed at Naval Air Station Sigonella at about 11:35 local time; the pilot ejected safely. The aircraft was confirmed to be from the UAE by the country's General Command of the armed forces, and had been arriving from Sardinia when it crashed.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h8d5ep2e9mHsPV2Tb537rf2CdsJA?docId=6680198 |title=NATO: F-16 Fighter-Bomber Crashes on Landing at Italian Airbase |date=27 April 2011 |access-date=7 May 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191225225905/https://www.webcitation.org/5yVsdwBlT?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h8d5ep2e9mHsPV2Tb537rf2CdsJA%3FdocId=6680198 |archive-date=25 December 2019 |agency=The Canadian Press |url-status=dead}}
• 21 June 2011: An unmanned US Navy MQ-8 Fire Scout went down over Libya, possibly due to enemy fire. NATO confirmed that they lost radar contact with the unmanned helicopter as it was performing an intelligence and reconnaissance mission near Zliten. NATO began investigating the crash shortly after it occurred.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13858200 |title=Libya Conflict: Nato Loses Drone Helicopter |work=BBC News |date=21 June 2011 |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623001726/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13858200 |archive-date=23 June 2011 |url-status=live}} On 5 August, it was announced that the investigation had concluded that the cause of the crash was probably enemy fire; with an operator or mechanical failure ruled out and the inability of investigators to access the crash site the "logical conclusion" was that the aircraft had been shot down.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjq4WZw03V_fCs0F44efTYDXJwWg?docId=729f1c9498f142d783e7d216f8f05c37 |title=Navy says drone lost in Libya likely shot down |date=5 August 2011 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=16 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811114355/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjq4WZw03V_fCs0F44efTYDXJwWg?docId=729f1c9498f142d783e7d216f8f05c37 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}
• 20 July 2011: A British airman was killed in a traffic accident in Italy while part of a logistical convoy transferring supplies from the UK to NATO bases in the south of Italy from which air strikes were being conducted against Libya.{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/AirmanKilledInRoadAccidentInItaly.htm |title=Airman killed in road accident in Italy |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725013459/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/AirmanKilledInRoadAccidentInItaly.htm |archive-date=25 July 2011}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2084681,00.html |title=UK Airman Dies in Italy Road Accident |magazine=Time |date=21 July 2011 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017143157/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C2084681%2C00.html |archive-date=17 October 2011}}

{{Main|International reactions to the 2011 military intervention in Libya|Protests against the 2011 military intervention in Libya|US domestic reactions to the 2011 military intervention in Libya}}

Since the start of the campaign, there have been allegations of violating the limits imposed upon the intervention by Resolution 1973 and by US law. At the end of May 2011, Western troops were captured on film in Libya, despite Resolution 1973 specifically forbidding "a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/30/western-troops-on-ground-libya |author1=Borger, Julian |author2=Chulov, Martin |date=30 May 2011 |title=Al-Jazeera Footage Captures 'Western Troops on the Ground' in Libya | work = The Guardian |access-date=6 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110603231625/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/30/western-troops-on-ground-libya| archive-date= 3 June 2011 | url-status= live}}

In a March 2011 Gallup poll, 47% of Americans had approved of military action against Libya, compared with 37% disapproval.{{cite news |title=Americans Approve of Military Action Against Libya, 47% to 37% |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/146738/americans-approve-military-action-against-libya.aspx |work=Gallup |date=22 March 2011}}

On 10 June, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates criticized some of the NATO member nations for their efforts, or lack thereof, to participate in the intervention in Libya. Gates singled out Germany, Poland, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands for criticism. He praised Canada, Norway, and Denmark, saying that although those three countries had only provided 12% of the aircraft to the operation, their aircraft had conducted one-third of the strikes.Cloud, David S. (11 June 2011). "Gates Tells NATO It Must Hold Up Its End". McClatchy-Tribune News Services (via Stars and Stripes). p. 3.

On 24 June, the US House voted against Joint Resolution 68, which would have authorized continued US military involvement in the NATO campaign for up to one year.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-joint-resolution/68|title=H.J.Res.68 – 112th Congress (2011–2012): Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya.|date=24 June 2011|access-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101619/https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-joint-resolution/68|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/94851-house-rejects-libya-authorization-measure/|title=House rejects Libya authorization measure|work=TheHill|date=24 June 2011|access-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213050758/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/168347-house-rejects-libya-authorization-resolution|archive-date=13 December 2015|url-status=live}} The majority of Republicans voted against the resolution,{{cite news|url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/house/1/493|title=Congressional Bills and Votes|work=The New York Times|access-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617195534/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/house/1/493|archive-date=17 June 2016}} with some questioning US interests in Libya and others criticizing the White House for overstepping its authority by conducting a military expedition without Congressional backing. House Democrats were split on the issue, with 115 voting in favor of and 70 voting against. Despite the failure of the President to receive legal authorization from Congress, the Obama administration continued its military campaign, carrying out the bulk of NATO's operations until the overthrow of Gaddafi in October.

On 9 August, the head of UNESCO, Irina Bokova deplored a NATO strike on Libyan State TV, Al-Jamahiriya, that killed 3 journalists and wounded others.{{cite news | url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE77802120110809 | title=UN official "deplores" NATO attack on Libyan TV | access-date=13 August 2011 | date=9 August 2011 | agency=Reuters Africa | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811114339/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE77802120110809 | archive-date=11 August 2011 }} Bokova declared that media outlets should not be the target of military activities. On 11 August, after the NATO airstrike on Majer (on 9 August) that allegedly killed 85 civilians, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all sides to do as much as possible to avoid killing innocent people.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8696961/Ban-Ki-moon-alarmed-over-rising-civilian-toll-in-Libya.html | title=Ban Ki-moon alarmed over rising civilian toll in Libya | access-date=13 August 2011 | date=12 August 2011 | work=The Telegraph | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813175612/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8696961/Ban-Ki-moon-alarmed-over-rising-civilian-toll-in-Libya.html | archive-date=13 August 2011 | url-status=live }}

According to a Gallup poll conducted in March and April 2012, a survey involving 1,000 Libyans showed 75% of Libyans were in favor of the NATO intervention, compared to 22% who were opposed.{{Cite news|url=http://news.gallup.com/poll/156539/opinion-briefing-libyans-eye-new-relations-west.aspx|title=Opinion Briefing: Libyans Eye New Relations With the West|work=Gallup.com|access-date=2018-02-15|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215131918/http://news.gallup.com/poll/156539/Opinion-Briefing-Libyans-Eye-New-Relations-West.aspx|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}} A post-war Orb International poll involving 1,249 Libyans found broad support for the intervention, with 85% of Libyans saying that they strongly supported the action taken to remove the Ghadafi regime.{{cite web|url=https://www.orb-international.com/article.php?s=4-in-5-libyans-agree-country-heading-in-right-direction-according-to-post-revolution-citizen-poll|title=4 IN 5 LIBYANS AGREE COUNTRY 'HEADING IN RIGHT DIRECTION', ACCORDING TO POST-REVOLUTION CITIZEN POLL|date=2012|website=Orb International|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608060559/https://www.orb-international.com/article.php?s=4-in-5-libyans-agree-country-heading-in-right-direction-according-to-post-revolution-citizen-poll|archive-date=8 June 2017}}

The military intervention in Libya has been cited by the Council on Foreign Relations as an example of the responsibility to protect policy adopted by the UN at the 2005 World Summit. According to Gareth Evans, "[t]he international military intervention (SMH) in Libya is not about bombing for democracy or Muammar Gaddafi's head. Legally, morally, politically, and militarily it has only one justification: protecting the country's people." However, the council also noted that the policy had been used only in Libya, and not in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, undergoing a political crisis at the time, or in response to protests in Yemen. A CFR expert, Stewert Patrick, said that "There is bound to be selectivity and inconsistency in the application of the responsibility to protect norm given the complexity of national interests at stake in...the calculations of other major powers involved in these situations."{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/libya/libya-responsibility-protect/p24480 |title=Libya and the Responsibility to Protect |access-date=12 April 2011 |date=24 March 2011 |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414130131/http://www.cfr.org/libya/libya-responsibility-protect/p24480 |archive-date=14 April 2011 }} In January 2012, the Arab Organization for Human Rights, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and the International Legal Assistance Consortium published a report describing alleged human rights violations and accusing NATO of war crimes.{{cite news|last=Shabi|first=Rachel|title=Nato accused of war crimes in Libya|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nato-accused-of-war-crimes-in-libya-6291566.html|access-date=23 January 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122043804/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nato-accused-of-war-crimes-in-libya-6291566.html|archive-date=22 January 2012|url-status=live}}

On 3 June 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution, calling for a withdrawal of the United States military from the air and naval operations in and around Libya. It demanded that the administration provide, within 14 days, an explanation of why President Barack Obama did not come to Congress for permission to continue to take part in the mission.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/04/world/africa/04policy.html|title=House Rebukes Obama for Continuing Libyan Mission Without Its Consent|first=Jennifer|last=Steinhauer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 June 2011|access-date=30 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411132452/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/04/world/africa/04policy.html|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}

On 13 June, the House passed a resolution prohibiting the use of funds for operations in the conflict, with 110 Democrats and 138 Republicans voting in favor.[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2011-415 "On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 6 to H R 2055"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027194529/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2011-415 |date=27 October 2011 }}, GovTrack. 13 June 2011.{{cite news |title=US House votes to block funding for Libya |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/06/20116147535393778.html |publisher=Al-Jazeera |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231042938/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/06/20116147535393778.html |archive-date=31 December 2018 |url-status=live }} Harold Koh, the State department's legal advisor, was called to testify in front of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to defend the actions of the Obama administration under the War Powers Resolution.{{cite web|title=Hearing Before The Committee On Foreign Relations United States Senate|url=https://irp.fas.org/congress/2011_hr/libya.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027175440/https://irp.fas.org/congress/2011_hr/libya.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2021 }} Koh was questioned by the Committee on the Obama administration's interpretation of the word "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution § 4(a)(1) and 5(b). Koh reasoned that under the constitution, the term "hostilities" was left up for interpretation by the executive branch, and therefore the interpretation fit the historical definition of that word. Koh argued that historically the term "hostilities" has previously been used to mean limited military action acting in support of a conflict, and the scope of this operation suits that interpretation.{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=Siobhan|date=2011-06-29|title=In Washington, Rifts Over Libya Exposed|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304447804576414193387907836.html|access-date=2021-10-14|issn=0099-9660}} Ultimately the Committee still remained concerned by the actions of the President.

On 24 June, the House rejected Joint Resolution 68, which would have provided the Obama administration with authorization to continue military operations in Libya for up to one year.{{cite news |title=House of Representatives votes against US Libya role |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-13908202 |work=BBC News |date=24 June 2011 |access-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105182424/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-13908202 |archive-date=5 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:Miting podrške Gadafiju u Beogradu.JPG, Serbia on 26 March 2011 against military intervention in Libya]]

File:April 2, 2011 Minnesota protest against military action in Libya 3.jpg, United States on 2 April 2011 against US military intervention in Libya]]

The military intervention was criticized, both at the time and subsequently, on a variety of grounds.

An in-depth investigation into the Libyan intervention and its aftermath was conducted by the UK Parliament's House of Commons' cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee, the final conclusions of which were released on 14 September 2016 in a report titled Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options. The Foreign Affairs Select Committee saw no evidence that the UK Government carried out a proper analysis of the nature of the rebellion in Libya and it "selectively took elements of Muammar Gaddafi's rhetoric at face value; and it failed to identify the militant Islamist extremist element in the rebellion. UK strategy was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence".{{cite web |title=HC 119 Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options |date=14 September 2016 |page=14 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf |access-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927090612/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2018 |url-status=live }} The report was strongly critical of the British government's role in the intervention.[https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/13/europe/libya-uk-intervention/index.html Britain's Libya intervention led to the growth of ISIS, inquiry finds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202423/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/13/europe/libya-uk-intervention/index.html |date=24 April 2018 }}, CNN, 14 September 2016 The report concluded that the government "failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated and that the rebels included a significant Islamist element."{{cite web|title=Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf|work=House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822020912/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf|archive-date=22 August 2017|url-status=live}} In particular, the committee concluded that Gaddafi was not planning to massacre civilians, and that reports to the contrary were propagated by rebels and Western governments.{{cite journal |last1=Kuperman |first1=Alan J. |title=Obama's Libya Debacle |journal=Foreign Affairs |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/libya/obamas-libya-debacle |access-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018105447/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/libya/obamas-libya-debacle |archive-date=18 October 2018 |url-status=live }}Salon, 16 Sept 2016, [https://www.salon.com/2016/09/16/u-k-parliament-report-details-how-natos-2011-war-in-libya-was-based-on-lies/ "U.K. Parliament Report Details How NATO's 2011 War in Libya Was Based on Lies; British Investigation: Gaddafi Was Not Going to Massacre Civilians; Western Bombing Made Islamist Extremism Worse"]

Alison Pargeter, a freelance Middle East and North Africa (MENA) analyst, told the Committee that when Gaddafi's forces re-took Ajdabiya they did not attack civilians, and this had taken place in February 2011, shortly before the NATO intervention.{{cite web |last1=Pargeter |first1=Alison |title=Oral Evidence to Foreign Affairs Committee |url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/foreign-affairs-committee/libya-examination-of-intervention-and-collapse-and-the-uks-future-policy-options/oral/22980.html |website=data.parliament.uk |access-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222201028/http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/foreign-affairs-committee/libya-examination-of-intervention-and-collapse-and-the-uks-future-policy-options/oral/22980.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 |url-status=live }} She also said that Gaddafi's approach towards the rebels had been one of "appeasement", with the release of Islamist prisoners and promises of significant development assistance for Benghazi.{{primary source inline|date=December 2022}} However, evidence which was collected during the intervention suggested otherwise, showing things such as shooting deaths of hundreds of protestors, reports of mass rapes by Libyan Armed Forces and orders from Gaddafi's senior generals to bombard and starve the people of Misrata.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/world/africa/05nations.html?ref=world | work= The New York Times |author1=Simons, Marlise |author2=MacFarquhar, Neil | title=Libyan Officials' Arrests Sought by Court in Hague | date= 4 May 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/18/muammar-gaddafi-war-crimes-files|title=Muammar Gaddafi war crimes files revealed|first=Chris|last=Stephen|publisher=www.theguardian.com|date=June 18, 2011|access-date=December 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last1= Sidner | first1= Sara | last2= Ahmed | first2= Amir | title= Psychologist: Proof of hundreds of rape cases during Libya's war | date= 2011-05-23 |publisher= CNN| url= http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/23/libya.rape.survey.psychologist/ |access-date= 2019-07-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170812100748/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/23/libya.rape.survey.psychologist/ |archive-date= 2017-08-12 |url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2024}}

In his March 28 address, Barack Obama warned of an imminent risk of a massacre in Benghazi.{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/28/remarks-President-address-nation-libya|title=Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Libya|date=28 March 2011|website=whitehouse.gov|access-date=6 August 2023}} However, journalist S.Awan argued that the subsequent airstrikes "destroyed a very small convoy of government vehicles, including ambulances."{{cite book |last= Awan |first= S.|date= 2015 |title=The Libya Conspiracy: A Definitive Guide to the Lies of the Libya 'Intervention' & the Crime of the Century |page= 55}} Furthermore, Professor Alan J. Kuperman argued against the idea of an imminent massacre in Benghazi, arguing that in captured cities such as Zawiya, Misurata and Ajdabiya no massacre had occurred, so Kuperman believed that there was little reason to think Benghazi would be any different. While there were civilian casualties, he argued that there was no effort to target civilian concentrations, with Libya's air force primarily targeting rebel positions.{{Cite news|url=https://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/04/14/false_pretense_for_war_in_libya/|title=False pretense for war in Libya? - The Boston Globe|newspaper=Boston.com |date=15 July 2020|access-date=6 August 2023|archive-date=15 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715060802/https://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/04/14/false_pretense_for_war_in_libya/|url-status=bot: unknown |last1=Kuperman |first1=Alan J. }}

According to the report, France's motive for initiating the intervention was economic and political as well as humanitarian. In a briefing to Hillary Clinton on 2 April 2011, her adviser Sidney Blumenthal reported that, according to high-level French intelligence, France's motives for overthrowing Gaddafi were to increase France's share of Libya's oil production, strengthen French influence in Africa, and improve President Sarkozy's standing at home.{{cite web |title=France's Client and Q's Gold |url=https://www.foia.state.gov/Search/results.aspx?searchText=C05779612&beginDate=&endDate=&publishedBeginDate=&publishedEndDate=&caseNumber= |website=foia.state.gov |publisher=US Department of State |access-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410234309/https://www.foia.state.gov/Search/results.aspx?searchText=C05779612&beginDate=&endDate=&publishedBeginDate=&publishedEndDate=&caseNumber= |archive-date=10 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The report also highlighted how Islamic extremists had a large influence on the uprising, which was largely ignored by the West to the future detriment of Libya.{{cite web|title=U.K. Parliament report details how NATO's 2011 war in Libya was based on lies|url=https://www.salon.com/2016/09/16/u-k-parliament-report-details-how-natos-2011-war-in-libya-was-based-on-lies/|author=Ben Norton|date=16 September 2016|work=Salon|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411213529/https://www.salon.com/2016/09/16/u-k-parliament-report-details-how-natos-2011-war-in-libya-was-based-on-lies/|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}

The American Libertarian Party opposed the U.S. military intervention.Devine, James J.; essay (March 25, 2011). [http://njtoday.net/2011/03/25/voice-of-the-people-this-used-to-be-a-free-country/ "Voice of the People: This Used To Be a Free Country"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306200814/http://njtoday.net/2011/03/25/voice-of-the-people-this-used-to-be-a-free-country/ |date=6 March 2021 }}. NJToday.net. Former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader branded President Obama as a "war criminal"Avlon, John P.; essay (March 23, 2011). [http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/23/avlon.left.obama/ "Left's View on Libya: Is This Bush's Third Term?"]. CNN. and called for his impeachment.O'Reilly, Bill; essay (March 27, 2011). [http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view/2011_0327a_noble_fight_in_libya/srvc=home&position=also "A Noble Fight in Libya"]Boston Herald. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430101748/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view/2011_0327a_noble_fight_in_libya/srvc%3Dhome%26position%3Dalso |date=30 April 2011 }}

Some critics of Western military intervention suggested that resources—not democratic or humanitarian concerns—were the real impetus for the intervention, among them a journalist of London Arab nationalist newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi, the Russian TV network RT and the (then-)leaders of Venezuela and Zimbabwe, Hugo Chávez and Robert Mugabe.Chiripasi, Thomas. "[http://www.voanews.com/zimbabwe/news/Zimbabwean-President-Mugabe-Says-West-in-Libya-for-Oil-118386309.html Zimbabwean President Mugabe Says Western 'Vampires' in Libya for Oil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325012026/http://www.voanews.com/zimbabwe/news/Zimbabwean-President-Mugabe-Says-West-in-Libya-for-Oil-118386309.html |date=25 March 2011}}." Voice of America. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012."[http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/111020/chavez-gaddafi-will-be-remembered-as-a-martyr Chávez: Gaddafi will be remembered as a martyr] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521145541/http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/111020/chavez-gaddafi-will-be-remembered-as-a-martyr |date=21 May 2012 }}." El Universal. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/9432055.stm Libya revolt as it happened: Monday] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422075006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/9432055.stm |date=22 April 2014 }}. BBC. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012. Gaddafi's Libya, despite its relatively small population, was known to possess vast resources, particularly in the form of oil reserves and financial capital."[http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/201871/20110822/gold-oil-libya.htm How Much Gold does Libya Have?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204223835/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/201871/20110822/gold-oil-libya.htm |date=4 February 2012 }}" International Business Times. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012.{{better source needed|date=May 2020|reason=Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Perennial sources#International Business Times}}

A left-leaning French daily newspaper published a letter by the NTC which it said had promised France access to 35% of Libyan crude oil.{{cite news |last1=Boitiaux |first1=Charlotte |title='Friends' gather in Paris to plan future of oil-rich Libya |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110901-friends-of-libya-uk-france-ntc-paris-conference-gaddafi-nato-sarkozy |access-date=13 April 2025 |work=France 24 |date=1 September 2011 |language=en}}

The intervention prompted a widespread wave of criticism from several world leaders, including: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (who said he supported the rebels but not Western intervention), Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez (who referred to Gaddafi as a "martyr"), South African President Jacob Zuma,{{cite news |title=Jacob Zuma criticises military action in Libya |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-14180863 |work=BBC News |date=18 July 2011}}{{failed verification|reason=No mention of imperialism in the source provided|date=December 2020}} and President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe (who referred to the Western nations as "vampires"), as well as the governments of Raúl Castro in Cuba,Hacthoun, Martin. "[http://www.cubaminrex.cu/English/Solidarity/Articles/InternationalS/2011/Cuba%20Condemned.html Cuba Condemned Foreign Military Intervention in Libya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325121633/http://www.cubaminrex.cu/English/Solidarity/Articles/InternationalS/2011/Cuba%20Condemned.html |date=25 March 2011}}." Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012. Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua,"[http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Sandinistas-march-in-Nicaragua-s-capital-against-Libya-offensive_Thursday-March-24-2011 Sandanistas march in Nicaragua's capital against Libya offensive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525025917/http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Sandinistas-march-in-Nicaragua-s-capital-against-Libya-offensive_Thursday-March-24-2011 |date=25 May 2012}}." The Tico Times (Costa Rica). 24 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012. Kim Jong-il in North Korea,"[http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2011/03/22/87/0401000000AEN20110322009900315F.HTML N. Korea condemns U.S. over air strikes on Libya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914013122/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2011/03/22/87/0401000000AEN20110322009900315F.HTML |date=14 September 2011 }}." Yonhap. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012. Hifikepunye Pohamba in Namibia,[http://www.thenewage.co.za/13105-1019-53-Namibia%27s_president_condemns_strikes_on_Libya Namibia's president condemns strikes on Libya | The New Age Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401172253/http://www.thenewage.co.za/13105-1019-53-Namibia%27s_president_condemns_strikes_on_Libya |date=1 April 2011}}. The New Age.South Africaco.za (21 March 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013. Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus,{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/f75073a623f49a26.html|title=Statement released by the Foreign Ministry in connection with the missile strikes and bombings on Libya|publisher=|access-date=20 April 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/lukashenko-outraged-by-gaddafis-treatment.html|title = Lukashenko outraged by Gaddafi's treatment - Nov. 04, 2011|date = 4 November 2011}}{{Cite web |url=http://wireupdate.com/libya-belarusian-president-lukashenko-says-nato-did-worse-than-the-nazis.html |title=Libya: Belarusian President Lukashenko says NATO 'did worse than the Nazis' » WireUpdate | Update to the Minute NewsWire - |access-date=2012-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704095225/http://wireupdate.com/libya-belarusian-president-lukashenko-says-nato-did-worse-than-the-nazis.html |archive-date=2012-07-04 }} and others. Gaddafi himself referred to the intervention as a "colonial crusade … capable of unleashing a full-scale war","[http://www.euronews.com/2011/03/20/gaddafi-calls-for-resistance-to-colonial-crusade/ Gaddafi calls for resistance to "colonial crusade"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211115005/http://www.euronews.com/2011/03/20/gaddafi-calls-for-resistance-to-colonial-crusade/ |date=11 December 2012 }}." euronews. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012./ a sentiment that was echoed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin: "[UNSC Resolution 1973] is defective and flawed...It allows everything. It resembles medieval calls for crusades.""[http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/article979191.ece/West-in-mediaeval-crusade-on-Gaddafi--Putin West in "medieval crusade" on Gaddafi: Putin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323111540/http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/article979191.ece/West-in-mediaeval-crusade-on-Gaddafi--Putin |date=23 March 2011 }}." The Times (Reuters). 21 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012. President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China said, "Dialogue and other peaceful means are the ultimate solutions to problems," and added, "If military action brings disaster to civilians and causes a humanitarian crisis, then it runs counter to the purpose of the UN resolution."[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-03/30/c_13805658.htm Chinese President meets French counterpart, saying force is no solution to Libyan issue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430052848/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-03/30/c_13805658.htm |date=30 April 2012 }}. News.xinhuanet.com (30 March 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was critical of the intervention as well, rebuking the coalition in a speech at the UN in September 2011.{{cite news|title=Manmohan slams West for using force to change regimes|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Manmohan-slams-West-for-using-force-to-change-regimes/articleshow/10108923.cms|date=25 September 2011|access-date=14 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025012351/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-25/india/30200524_1_libya-sovereignty-countries|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=live|newspaper=The Times of India}} Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, despite the substantial role his country played in the NATO mission, also spoke out against getting involved: "I had my hands tied by the vote of the parliament of my country. But I was against and I am against this intervention which will end in a way that no-one knows" and added, "This wasn't a popular uprising because Gaddafi was loved by his people, as I was able to see when I went to Libya."[http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=201981 Gaddafi was loved by his people] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622083455/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=201981 |date=22 June 2012 }}. The Daily Star.net (11 September 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013.[http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/i-was-against-libya-intervention-berlusconi-1.1095328 I was against Libya intervention: Berlusconi – Africa | IOL News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701023736/http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/i-was-against-libya-intervention-berlusconi-1.1095328 |date=1 July 2012 }}. IOL.co.za (7 July 2011). Retrieved 16 August 2013.

Despite its stated opposition to NATO intervention, Russia abstained from voting on Resolution 1973 instead of exercising its veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council; four other powerful nations also abstained from the vote—India, China, Germany, and Brazil—but of that group only China has the same veto power."[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/03/201131720311168561.html UN authorizes no-fly zone over Libya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318102654/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131720311168561.html |date=18 March 2011 }}." Al Jazeera. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012.

File:Libyan Civil War.png House of Representatives 11px General National Congress 11px Ansar al-Sharia 11px Islamic State 11px Tuareg]]

Micah Zenko argues that the Obama administration deceived the public by pretending the intervention was intended to protect Libyan civilians instead of achieving regime change when "in truth, the Libyan intervention was about regime change from the very start".{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/22/libya-and-the-myth-of-humanitarian-intervention/|title = The Big Lie About the Libyan War| date=22 March 2016 }}

A 2013 paper by Alan Kuperman argued that NATO went beyond its remit of providing protection for civilians and instead supported the rebels by engaging in regime change. It argued that NATO's intervention likely extended the length (and thus damage) of the civil war, which Kuperman argued could have ended in less than two months without NATO intervention. The paper argued that the intervention was based on a misperception of the danger Gaddafi's forces posed to the civilian population, which Kuperman suggests was caused by existing bias against Gaddafi due to his past actions (such as support for terrorism), sloppy and sensationalistic journalism during the early stages of the war and propaganda from anti-government forces. Kuperman suggests that this demonization of Gaddafi, which was used to justify the intervention, ended up discouraging efforts to accept a ceasefire and negotiated settlement, turning a humanitarian intervention into a dedicated regime change.Kuperman, Alan J. "A model humanitarian intervention? Reassessing NATO's Libya campaign." International Security 38, no. 1 (2013): 105-136.{{undue weight inline|date=December 2022}}

Moreover, criticisms have been made on the way the operation was led. According to Michael Kometer and Stephen E. Wright in Focus stratégique, the outcome of the Libyan intervention was reached by default rather than by design. It appears that there was an important lack of consistent political guidance caused particularly by the vagueness of the UN mandate and the ambiguous consensus among the NATO-led coalition. This lack of clear political guidance was translated into an incoherent military planning on the operational level. Such a gap may impact the future NATO's operations that will probably face trust issues.{{cite web|first1= Michael|last1= Kometer|first2= Stephen|last2= Wright|title= Winning in Libya: By Default or Design?|work= Focus stratégique, No. 41|date= January 2013|url= https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/fs41kometerwright.pdf|access-date=May 26, 2023}}{{undue weight inline|date=December 2022}}

On 22 March 2011, BBC News presented a breakdown of the likely costs to the UK of the mission.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12806709 |title=Libya: Is cost of military mission sustainable? |first1= Peter |last1=Jackson |work=BBC News |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130013926/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12806709 |archive-date=30 November 2017 |url-status=live }} Journalist Francis Tusa, editor of Defence Analysis, estimated that flying a Tornado GR4 would cost about £35,000 an hour (c. US$48,000), so the cost of patrolling one sector of Libyan airspace would be £2M–3M (US$2.75M–4.13M) per day. Conventional airborne missiles would cost £800,000 each and Tomahawk cruise missiles £750,000 each.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Professor Malcolm Charmers of the Royal United Services Institute similarly suggested that a single cruise missile would cost about £500,000, while a single Tornado sortie would cost about £30,000 in fuel alone. If a Tornado was downed the replacement cost would be upwards of £50m. By 22 March the US and UK had already fired more than 110 cruise missiles. UK Chancellor George Osborne had said that the MoD estimate of the operation cost was "tens rather than hundreds of millions". On 4 April Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton said that the RAF was planning to continue operations over Libya for at least six months.{{cite news |author=Blake, Heidi |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/rafbombercommand/8425646/RAF-stretched-to-the-limit-says-chief-in-plea-for-funds.html |title=RAF Stretched to the Limit, Says Chief in Plea for Funds at |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=4 April 2011 |access-date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407083130/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/rafbombercommand/8425646/RAF-stretched-to-the-limit-says-chief-in-plea-for-funds.html |archive-date=7 April 2011 }}

The total number of sorties flown by NATO numbered more than 26,000, an average of 120 sorties per day. 42% of the sorties were strike sorties, which damaged or destroyed approximately 6,000 military targets. At its peak, the operation involved more than 8,000 servicemen and women, 21 NATO ships in the Mediterranean and more than 250 aircraft of all types. By the end of the operation, NATO had conducted over 3,000 hailings at sea and almost 300 boardings for inspection, with 11 vessels denied transit to their next port of call.{{cite news |author =NATO |url =http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_71652.htm |title =NATO and Libya (Archived) |access-date =9 November 2015 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150910114829/http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_71652.htm |archive-date =10 September 2015 |url-status =live }} Eight NATO and two non-NATO countries flew strike sorties. Of these, Denmark, Canada, and Norway together were responsible for 31%,Cloud, David S. (11 June 2011). "Gates Tells NATO It Must Hold Up Its End". McClatchy-Tribune News Services (via Stars and Stripes). p. 3. the United States was responsible for 16%, Italy 10%, France 33%, Britain 21%, and Belgium, Qatar, and the UAE the remainder.C.J. Chivers, [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/world/africa/scores-of-unintended-casualties-in-nato-war-in-libya.html In Strikes on Libya by NATO, an Unspoken Civilian Toll.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406103945/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/world/africa/scores-of-unintended-casualties-in-nato-war-in-libya.html?pagewanted=all |date=6 April 2018 }} New York Times. 17 December 2011.

{{See also|2012 Benghazi attack|Factional violence in Libya (2011–2014)|Second Libyan Civil War}}

Since the end of the war, which overthrew Gaddafi, there has been violence involving various militias and the new state security forces.{{cite news |title=Three years after Gaddafi, Libya is imploding into chaos and violence |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/three-years-after-gaddafi-libya-imploding-chaos-and-violence-9194697.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/three-years-after-gaddafi-libya-imploding-chaos-and-violence-9194697.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=The Independent |date=16 March 2014}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |title=Moamar Gaddafi has been dead eight years yet Libya is still at war with itself. What went wrong? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-20/libya-civil-war-gaddafi-eight-years-on/11210742 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 October 2019}} The violence has escalated into the Second Libyan Civil War. Critics described the military intervention as "disastrous" and accused it of destabilizing North Africa, leading to the rise of Islamic extremist groups in the region.{{cite news |title=The Legacy of Obama's 'Worst Mistake' |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/04/obamas-worst-mistake-libya/478461/ |work=The Atlantic|first=Dominic|last=Tierney |date=16 April 2016}} Libya became what many scholars described as a failed state — a state that has disintegrated to a point where the government no longer performs its function properly.{{cite news |title=Libya: the battle for peace in a failing state |url=https://www.ft.com/content/993cb870-0d2c-11e9-a3aa-118c761d2745 |work=Financial Times |date=10 January 2019}}{{cite news |title=Libya Today: From Arab Spring to failed state |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/5/30/libya-today-from-arab-spring-to-failed-state |work=Al-Jazeera |date=30 May 2017}}{{cite news |first=Con |last=Coughlin |title=Failed state Libya is vulnerable to an Islamist takeover |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/24/failed-state-libya-vulnerable-islamist-takeover/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/24/failed-state-libya-vulnerable-islamist-takeover/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 June 2020}}{{cbignore}}

Libya has become the main exit for migrants trying to get to Europe.{{cite news |title=Once a Destination for Migrants, Post-Gaddafi Libya Has Gone from Transit Route to Containment |url=https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/once-destination-migrants-post-gaddafi-libya-has-gone-transit-route-containment |work=Migration Policy Institute |date=6 August 2020}} In September 2015, South African President Jacob Zuma said that "consistent and systematic bombing by NATO forces undermined the security and caused conflicts that are continuing in Libya and neighbouring countries ... It was the actions taken, the bombarding of Libya and killing of its leader, that opened the flood gates."{{cite news |title=Zuma: Blood of refugee crisis is on Nato's hands |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2015-09-16-zuma-blood-of-refugee-crisis-is-on-natos-hands-1/|first=Qaanitah|last=Hunter |work=Mail & Guardian |date=16 September 2015}}

In a 2016 interview with Fox News, U.S. President Barack Obama stated that the "worst mistake" of his presidency was "probably failing to plan for the day after what I think was the right thing to do in intervening in Libya."{{cite web |last=agencies |first=Staff and |date=2016-04-12 |title=Barack Obama says Libya was 'worst mistake' of his presidency |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/12/barack-obama-says-libya-was-worst-mistake-of-his-presidency |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2016-04-11 |title=President Obama: Libya aftermath 'worst mistake' of presidency |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36013703 |access-date=2022-03-07}} Obama also acknowledged there had been issues with following up the conflict planning, commenting in a 2016 interview with The Atlantic magazine that British Prime Minister David Cameron had allowed himself to be "distracted by a range of other things".{{cite news |date= 11 March 2016 |title= Barack Obama is right to criticise David Cameron's handling of Libya – but the US should not get off the hook |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/barack-obama-is-right-to-criticise-david-cameron-s-handling-of-libya-but-the-us-should-not-get-off-a6926666.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/barack-obama-is-right-to-criticise-david-cameron-s-handling-of-libya-but-the-us-should-not-get-off-a6926666.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper= The Independent |location= London }}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |title=Barack Obama accuses David Cameron of getting 'distracted' over Libya and contributing to 's*** show' |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/12190303/Barack-Obama-accuses-David-Cameron-of-getting-distracted-over-Libya-and-contributing-to-s-show.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/12190303/Barack-Obama-accuses-David-Cameron-of-getting-distracted-over-Libya-and-contributing-to-s-show.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2017 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|first1=David|last1=Lawler|first2=Ben|last2=Rileysmith |date=10 March 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Jeffrey |title=The Obama Doctrine |url= https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/04/the-obama-doctrine/471525/#9 |work=The Atlantic |location= Washington DC |date=April 2016}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Portal|Libya|Politics}}

• 2003 Invasion of Iraq
• Aftermath of the Libyan Civil War
• European migrant crisis
• List of invasions in the 21st century
• Second Libyan Civil War
• Killing of Muammar Gaddafi
• Protests against the 2011 military intervention in Libya
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
• US military campaign in Libya against ISIS
• Bombing of Libya, code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon, response to 1986 Berlin discotheque bombing
• Iraqi no-fly zones, two similar operations carried out over Iraq:
• Operation Northern Watch
• Operation Southern Watch
• Operation Deny Flight, similar operation carried out during the Bosnian War (1992–1995)
• 1995 NATO bombing campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ouadi Doum air raid, 1986 French air raid on Libyan airbase in Chad
• 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War

{{reflist}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

• {{cite journal |author-link=Alexander Benard |last=Bernard |first=Alexander |title=Lessons from Iraq and Bosnia on the Theory and Practice of No-Fly Zones |journal=Journal of Strategic Studies |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=454–478 |year=2004 |doi=10.1080/1362369042000282985|s2cid=154870756 }}
• {{cite journal |author-link=Richard K. Betts |last=Betts |first=Richard K. |year=1994 |title=The Delusion of Impartial Intervention |journal=Foreign Affairs |volume=73 |issue=6 |pages=20–33 |doi=10.2307/20046926 |jstor=20046926}}
• {{cite journal |last=Chesterman |first=Simon |title='Leading from Behind': The Responsibility to Protect, the Obama Doctrine, and Humanitarian Intervention After Libya |year=2011 |journal=Ethics & International Affairs |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=279–285 |doi=10.1017/S0892679411000190 |ssrn=1855843|s2cid=145791123 }}
• {{cite journal |last=Krain |first=Matthew |title=International Intervention and the Severity of Genocides and Politicides |journal=International Studies Quarterly |volume=49 |issue=3 |year=2005 |pages=363–388 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-2478.2005.00369.x|doi-access=free }}
• {{cite journal |last=Xypolia |first=Ilia |title=From the White Man's Burden to the Responsible Saviour: Justifying Humanitarian Intervention in Libya |journal=Middle East Critique |volume=31 |issue=1 |year=2022|pages=1–19 |doi=10.1080/19436149.2022.2030981|s2cid=246644730 |doi-access=free |hdl=2164/18262 |hdl-access=free }}
• {{cite journal|last=Larsen |first=Henrik Boesen Lindbo |title=Libya: Beyond Regime Change |journal=DIIS Policy Brief |volume=October 2011 |year=2011 |url=http://www.diis.dk/graphics/publications/policybriefs%202011/libya%20beyond%20regime%20change.web.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526014230/http://www.diis.dk/graphics/publications/policybriefs%202011/libya%20beyond%20regime%20change.web.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2013}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/11902.htm Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options (html)][https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf (pdf)] (2016) Conclusions of an in-depth investigation by the U.K. Parliament's House of Commons' bipartisan Foreign Affairs Committee.
• [https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/inquiries1/parliament-2015/libya-policy/ Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options inquiry]
• [https://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2011/mar/08/libya-nato-no-fly-zone-interactive-map Libya: allied military assets and initial attack sites]. The Guardian. 21 March 2011, interactive map
• Chulov, Martin; Dehghan, Saeed Kamali; Marsh, Katherine (21 March 2011). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/libyan-air-strikes-middle-east-reaction "Libyan Air Strikes: Reactions around the Middle East"]. The Guardian.
• [http://www.ffaa.net/history/wars-operations/libye/harmattan_moyens_air_fr.htm Unofficial page about aircraft involved in Operation Harmattan]
• [http://www.ffaa.net/history/wars-operations/libye/harmattan_moyens_navals_fr.htm Unofficial page about warships involved in Operation Harmattan]
• [http://www.ffaa.net/ships/aircraft-carrier/charles-de-gaulle/historique8.htm Unofficial page about CVN Charles de Gaulle in Operation Harmattan]
• [https://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10200.doc.htm Security Council Approves 'No-Fly Zone' over Libya, Authorizing 'All Necessary Measures' to Protect Civilians, by Vote of 10 in Favour with 5 Abstentions]
• [https://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10200.doc.htm#Resolution Text of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973]

{{Libyan civil war}}

{{American conflicts}}

{{Authority control}}

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