The U.S. missiles hit at least 20 of Libyan 22 targets on Saturday, the U.S. Africa Command said.
“It looks like things have gone well as far as the strikes are concerned,” AFRICOM spokesman Lieutenant Commander James Stockman said. “We had 20 of 22 targets hit,” he continued. “The other two targets are still under assessment,” he added.
“We struck key integrated air defense and SAM [surface-to-air missile] sites near Tripoli, Misrata and Sirte,” Stockman said.
The military operation against Libya’s strongman Muammar Gaddafi who has ruled the country with an iron fist for more than 40 years began on Saturday, involving the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and other countries.
A new UN Security Council resolution on Libya adopted on Thursday encompasses a no-fly zone and “all necessary measures” against forces loyal to Gaddafi.
Libyan television reported citing military officials that at least 50 civilians were killed and over 150 wounded in military attacks of the coalition forces, adding that many health and education facilities were ruined.
WASHINGTON, March 20 (RIA Novosti)