Suspected US Armed drones killed 25 Pakistanis on Friday after firing four missiles that hit a house used by al Qaeda and Taliban militants.
First pilotless planes have been reported in Misrata - Libya also on Friday. The first Predators were sent to Libya on Tuesday, but they had to be withdrawn due to bad weather conditions.
The United States using armed drones against Muammar Gaddafi's troops is good news for the rebels who hope to receive greater help in the future. Use of drones could limit the collateral damages during the NATO attacks because drones can stay unlimited periods of time in the airspace of the towns having the capacity of survey at lower altitudes, bringing high definition images of the enemy targets placed in defensive positions.
Military advisers to be deployed by France and Great Britain to Libya and Britain are supposed to teach rebels on how to use information provided by these drones in their attacks against Gaddafi troops. Sending advisers on the ground is questioned by Russia who considers the measure beyond the U.N. Security Council mandate to protect civilians.
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Skirmishes at the Thai-Cambodian borders
Thailand and Cambodia broke the February ceasefire and clashed on Friday at the disputed Ta Moan and Ta Krabey border area. Artillery, rocket propelled grenades and light guns were fired that killed 2 Thai solders and wounded 7, with an unknown number of Cambodian fatalities. Villages on both sides of the border were evacuated and the sides accused each other for starting the fight.
The February cease fire proves to be volatile, instability of the region remaining high. The frozen conflict was supposed to be observed by Indonesian observers, according to a February 22 agreement brokered by ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), but the unarmed military were not yet deployed at the time of the clashes on Friday.
The conflict started half a century ago with both countries claiming a 4.6 sq. km plot of land (1.8 sq. miles) including a temple known as Khao Phra in Thailand and Preah Vihear in Cambodia. The temple got the UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008 but this did not lower tensions.
The February cease fire proves to be volatile, instability of the region remaining high. The frozen conflict was supposed to be observed by Indonesian observers, according to a February 22 agreement brokered by ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), but the unarmed military were not yet deployed at the time of the clashes on Friday.
The conflict started half a century ago with both countries claiming a 4.6 sq. km plot of land (1.8 sq. miles) including a temple known as Khao Phra in Thailand and Preah Vihear in Cambodia. The temple got the UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008 but this did not lower tensions.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Expected end for Mubarak
The 82 years old ex-president of Egypt and both his sons were detained for 15 days easing the pressure on army generals thought to have protected Hosni Mubarak from investigation. Health problems will keep him away from jail as he will be under arrest in the Sharm el-Sheik hospital where he was rushed after heart problems appeared during interrogations.
A helicopter that was supposed to take him to Cairo left without him as his condition was considered improper for a longer trip, but his questioning will continue under medical supervision.
An impressive state security force is guarding him inside and around the intensive care unit at the hospital. The unstable health condition of Hosni Mubarak is largely considered to be a fake aimed at avoiding his detention in a penitentiary cell.
A number of ex-ministers and other officials of the Mubarak regime are under investigation and held in the same jail at the outskirts of Cairo where his sons were incarcerated. Egyptians expect the present military rulers to prove their good faith keeping Mubarak accountable for corruption, embezzlement of state money, abuse of power and excessive force against protestors and dismiss the existence of an understanding to slow or even avoid his prosecution.
A helicopter that was supposed to take him to Cairo left without him as his condition was considered improper for a longer trip, but his questioning will continue under medical supervision.
An impressive state security force is guarding him inside and around the intensive care unit at the hospital. The unstable health condition of Hosni Mubarak is largely considered to be a fake aimed at avoiding his detention in a penitentiary cell.
A number of ex-ministers and other officials of the Mubarak regime are under investigation and held in the same jail at the outskirts of Cairo where his sons were incarcerated. Egyptians expect the present military rulers to prove their good faith keeping Mubarak accountable for corruption, embezzlement of state money, abuse of power and excessive force against protestors and dismiss the existence of an understanding to slow or even avoid his prosecution.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A peace deal in Libya?
On 10.04.2011 the African Union brokered an agreement with Muammar Ghaddafi in Tripoli aimed an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid and the start of talks between the rebels and the government to settle the internal conflict in Libya. Special measures for the protection of foreigners are also envisaged, dialogue between all parties and political reforms implemented during a reasonable transition period. The African Union is ready to deploy a ceasefire monitoring mechanism under the United Nations and the Arab League umbrella.
Opposition rejects any deal intended to keep Gaddafi or his sons in power. No truce offers from Gaddafi is acceptable for the opposition without solid guarantees that his 41-year rule ends. At the same time Gaddafi has repeatedly said he will not quit.
Jacob Zuma, President of South African met Gaddafi on Sunday urging a ceasefire that includes a stop to NATO air strikes on government targets. A roadmap presented by the African Union seems to have been accepted by Gaddafi. Several hundred Libyans are protesting today in the eastern rebel citadel of Benghazi, saying there can be no peace without Moammar Gaddafi's departure and expressing little faith in an African Union team trying to mediate a cease fire.
Over the weekend no official reaction came from NATO that stepped up attacks on Gaddafi's army reported to siege Misrata (west of Libya) while advancing eastwards.
Opposition rejects any deal intended to keep Gaddafi or his sons in power. No truce offers from Gaddafi is acceptable for the opposition without solid guarantees that his 41-year rule ends. At the same time Gaddafi has repeatedly said he will not quit.
Jacob Zuma, President of South African met Gaddafi on Sunday urging a ceasefire that includes a stop to NATO air strikes on government targets. A roadmap presented by the African Union seems to have been accepted by Gaddafi. Several hundred Libyans are protesting today in the eastern rebel citadel of Benghazi, saying there can be no peace without Moammar Gaddafi's departure and expressing little faith in an African Union team trying to mediate a cease fire.
Over the weekend no official reaction came from NATO that stepped up attacks on Gaddafi's army reported to siege Misrata (west of Libya) while advancing eastwards.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Gaddafi's forces left without a large ammunition depot. Libyan Foreign Minister resigns.
Pro Ghaddafi forces remain without a large ammunition depot in the Libyan desert, as it was destroyed by British and American bombers, according to the Daily Express. 40 bunkers with artillery guns and ammunition were destroyed completely. Air defense systems near these targets had been destroyed days ago by Tomahawk missiles launched from a British submarine.
Libyan Foreign Minister has resigned and fled the country - he is now in London. At the same time, NATO has taken over the command of the military operations in Libya and allied planes resumed bombing.
The New York Times reported that CIA agents have been mobilized in Libya in "small groups" to contact the rebels and coordinate the coalition. In addition, Reuters writes that the president had secretly authorized arming the rebels. The White House has denied this information and added that they have not yet decided whether to provide weapons to the opposition or not. White House spokesman, Jay Carney refused to talk about any information problems or "intelligence matters".
Libyan Foreign Minister has resigned and fled the country - he is now in London. At the same time, NATO has taken over the command of the military operations in Libya and allied planes resumed bombing.
The New York Times reported that CIA agents have been mobilized in Libya in "small groups" to contact the rebels and coordinate the coalition. In addition, Reuters writes that the president had secretly authorized arming the rebels. The White House has denied this information and added that they have not yet decided whether to provide weapons to the opposition or not. White House spokesman, Jay Carney refused to talk about any information problems or "intelligence matters".
Sunday, March 20, 2011
War has started in Libya
After several international warnings towards the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, today French, British and American military forces began the first air strikes in Libya, enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1973.
More than 110 Tomahawk missiles fired from American and British ships and submarines hit about 20 Libyan air and missile defense targets, as U.S. Vice Adm. William Gortney said at a Pentagon briefing today.
Latest developments:
9:51 p.m. (GMT) - Sirte, hometown of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi, was targeted by missile attacks and air raids of the international coalition, announced the official Libyan agency (JANA).
9:43 p.m. - AFP: Libyan television said the air defense shot down a French military plane in Tripoli region. French officials, quoted by the BBC, denied, however, the information submitted by the Libyan state television.
9:39 p.m. - AFP: The Committee of the African Union (AU), meeting on the situation in Libya, rejected "any foreign military intervention, in whatever form", said the Mauritanian President Mohamer Ould Abdel Aziz.
9:32 p.m. - CNN: Prime Minister David Cameron said late Saturday that British forces also are in action over Libya. "What we are doing is necessary, it is legal and it is right," he said. "I believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people."
9:23 p.m. - CNN - U.S. and British missiles were launched from ships and submarines and hit 20 targets, air defense systems and strategic communications centers located on the Libyan coast. The announcement was made by Admiral William Gortney, in a press conference at the Pentagon. Admiral Gortney also said that the operation aims at preventing Ghaddafi's regime to use force against its own people and refused to give details about future operations.
A Libyan army spokesman said that several "civilian targets" in the cities of Tripoli, Misra, Zuara and Benghazi have been targeted by enemy raids.
8:25 p.m. - AFP: President Barack Obama, said he had authorized a "limited military action" in Libya, adding that U.S. troops would be involved in ground operations in the country.
7:57 p.m. - United States launched the first missiles in Libya against forces of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi, said a U.S. State Department official quoted by CNN.
Prior to the American maneuver, French planes carried out a total of four air raids on Saturday, destroying several armored forces loyal to Colonel Ghaddafi, said a French military source, quoted by AFP.
French fighter planes have fired the first burst of fighting vehicles of the Libyan armed forces, at around 4:45 p.m. GMT. The "no-fly zone" was immediately announced and they began setting up the area.
7:10 p.m. - The Italian agency ANSA: 3 AWACS planes are ready to take off from Trapani (western Sicily), together with other Italian ECR Tornado jets and Eurofighter planes.
7:00 p.m. A defense official told Reuters that the U.S. Navy will send three submarines to Libya for combat operations.
6:00 p.m. French combat planes destroyed four tanks in Libya, in the southwestern city of Benghazi.
More than 110 Tomahawk missiles fired from American and British ships and submarines hit about 20 Libyan air and missile defense targets, as U.S. Vice Adm. William Gortney said at a Pentagon briefing today.
Latest developments:
9:51 p.m. (GMT) - Sirte, hometown of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi, was targeted by missile attacks and air raids of the international coalition, announced the official Libyan agency (JANA).
9:43 p.m. - AFP: Libyan television said the air defense shot down a French military plane in Tripoli region. French officials, quoted by the BBC, denied, however, the information submitted by the Libyan state television.
9:39 p.m. - AFP: The Committee of the African Union (AU), meeting on the situation in Libya, rejected "any foreign military intervention, in whatever form", said the Mauritanian President Mohamer Ould Abdel Aziz.
9:32 p.m. - CNN: Prime Minister David Cameron said late Saturday that British forces also are in action over Libya. "What we are doing is necessary, it is legal and it is right," he said. "I believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people."
9:23 p.m. - CNN - U.S. and British missiles were launched from ships and submarines and hit 20 targets, air defense systems and strategic communications centers located on the Libyan coast. The announcement was made by Admiral William Gortney, in a press conference at the Pentagon. Admiral Gortney also said that the operation aims at preventing Ghaddafi's regime to use force against its own people and refused to give details about future operations.
A Libyan army spokesman said that several "civilian targets" in the cities of Tripoli, Misra, Zuara and Benghazi have been targeted by enemy raids.
8:25 p.m. - AFP: President Barack Obama, said he had authorized a "limited military action" in Libya, adding that U.S. troops would be involved in ground operations in the country.
7:57 p.m. - United States launched the first missiles in Libya against forces of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi, said a U.S. State Department official quoted by CNN.
Prior to the American maneuver, French planes carried out a total of four air raids on Saturday, destroying several armored forces loyal to Colonel Ghaddafi, said a French military source, quoted by AFP.
French fighter planes have fired the first burst of fighting vehicles of the Libyan armed forces, at around 4:45 p.m. GMT. The "no-fly zone" was immediately announced and they began setting up the area.
7:10 p.m. - The Italian agency ANSA: 3 AWACS planes are ready to take off from Trapani (western Sicily), together with other Italian ECR Tornado jets and Eurofighter planes.
7:00 p.m. A defense official told Reuters that the U.S. Navy will send three submarines to Libya for combat operations.
6:00 p.m. French combat planes destroyed four tanks in Libya, in the southwestern city of Benghazi.
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