Purpose/Mission

Details: "to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya, including the establishment and enforcement of a 'no-fly zone' in the airspace of Libya"; "prevent a humanitarian disaster"

Domestic Legal Authority

Details: “I have directed these actions, which are in the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive."

Claimed International Legal Basis

Details: UNSCR 1973, which "authorized Member States, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya..."

Estimated Scope/Duration

Mission-bound but indeterminate

Details: Began March 21, 2011 at 3:00pm EDT; “these strikes will be limited in their nature, duration, and scope." "We will seek a rapid, but responsible, transition of operations to coalition, regional, or international organizations that are postured to continue activities as may be necessary to realize the objectives of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973."

Type of Enemy or Mission

Details: Libya ("Qadhafi's armed forces")

Military Activity

Details: U.S. Africa Command began "a series of strikes against air defense systems and military airfields for the purposes of preparing a no-fly zone"; "U.S. forces have targeted the Qadhafi regime's air defense systems, command and control structures, and other capabilities of Qadhafi's armed forces used to attack civilians and civilian populated areas"

US Casualties Reported

No

Non-US Casualties Reported

Unknown