A Timeline of NATO Involvement in the Libyan Revolution

Posted October 31st, 2011 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
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Here is a timeline that tracks NATO's involvement in the Libyan revolution:

February 26, 2011: U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and his family as his government continues a bloody crackdown on rebels. Sanctions come 11 days after anti-government riots in Benghazi, inspired by Arab Spring revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.

March 19, 2011: U.S., Britain and France launch U.N.-mandated air attack over Libya to halt advances on civilians by Mr. Gadhafi's forces.

March 26, 2011: Opposition fighters capture key city of Ajdabiya.

March 31, 2011: NATO starts military operations in Libya under U.N. Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973, which call for protection of civilians. Military operations include an arms embargo and a “no-fly” zone.

April 30, 2011: A NATO missile attack on a house in Tripoli kills Gadhafi's youngest son and three grandchildren.

August 14, 2011: Fighters from Libya's opposition provisional authority claim capture of Zawiyah, but fighting continues around the strategic town.

August 20, 2011: National Transition Council fighters launch first attack on the capital, Tripoli, in coordination with NATO air support. Gadhafi's compound is seized three days later and the longtime leader drops out of sight.

September 21, 2011: NATO extends its military mission for up to 90 days.

October 20, 2011: NATO air support backs NTC fighters in their final assault on Moammar Gadhafi's hometown, Sirte. Gadhafi tries to escape but is killed.

October 21, 2011: NATO officials agree at a meeting in Brussels to end their military mission in Libya, tentatively on October 31, according to Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

October 22, 2011: Libya's provisional leaders declare the country liberated from 42 years of rule by Moammar Gadhafi. Tens of thousands of Libyans celebrate in Tripoli and in Benghazi, the eastern city where the rebellion was born.

October 31, 2011: NATO military operations in Libya end at midnight local time, 2200 UTC. Sixteen countries provided air support during the operation.