International Coalition Intervenes in Libya with Missile Strikes

A Libyan war plane explodes after being shot down in Benghazi

Saturday, March 19, 2011

By Michelle Chan Period 1

Background: Libya uprisings

• Protests began February 15, 2011• Inspired by neighboring uprisings (Tunisia and Egypt)• Rebels want to oust Libyan dictator Gaddafi from power

NATO enforces “no-fly” air zone

How can we enforce this zone?

• Gaddafi-Loyalist parties have been attacking rebellious Libyans

• To protect the civilians, “no-fly” zone created above Libya where gov’t forces are prohibited

• NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization intervenes

The U.S. (under Operation Odyssey Dawn), France, Canada, United Kingdom and 7 more countries have already sent fighter jets and aircrafts to combat Libyan air defenses

Map of Libya & Targeted Areas

Opposition against Libyan intervention

Anti-war protesters demonstrating outside the White House, both to mark the 8th anniversary of the Iraq War and to plead against war in Libya.

Who cares? • Libya does: Violent conflicts may result, but

Gaddafi might be overthrown!

Who cares?

• The world does: A dozen+ countries may be pulled into a long, violent conflict

Who cares?

• We do: Similar to WWI and WWII, several countries are forming an alliance to defeat by force