Report 19960520A
Date
May 20, 1996
Administration
Bill Clinton (First Term)Location
LiberiaWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
Yes, described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Joint/Coalition Mission
No
Article 51 Report to UN
Not applicable because no self-defense claim
Purpose/Mission
EvacuationDetails: Evacuate U.S. citizens and third-country nationals from Monrovia
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "I have directed the continued deployment of U.S. forces to Liberia pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive."
Claimed International Legal Basis
UnknownEstimated Scope/Duration
Mission-bound but indeterminate
Details: "Our goal is to redeploy U.S. forces once there is no longer a need for enhanced security at the Embassy and a requirement to maintain an on-scene evacuation capability."
Type of Enemy or Mission
Embassy protectionDetails: Unrest in "strife-torn city" of Monrovia, Liberia
Military Activity
Use of ground forcesDetails: "Approximately 280 Marines and other U.S. military personnel from the total U.S. force of 2,500 are currently ashore at the American Embassy complex."; "Marines returned fire" in response to several attacks at the Embassy
US Casualties Reported
Yes
Details: Two U.S. Marines grazed by rounds
Non-US Casualties Reported
Yes
Details: At least four fatalities (Marines returned fire "killing two or more attackers. ... The Marines again returned fire, this time killing two or more attackers.")
