March 20 War in Libya 2011

March 20 War in Libya

112 tomahawk missiles launched from coalition vessel. 64 people died in air strike.

Russia calls internationall forces not to resort to indiscriminate' force

At about 2:30AM local time, anti-aircraft gunfire was heard for about seven minutes echoing throughout the city of Tripoli. It is unknown what targets may or may not have been hit. Later, Libya state television reported that airstrikes killed 48 people and wounded 150 in civilian areas. Citing an armed forces statement it said the capital Tripoli as well as cities of Benghazi, Misurata and Zuwarah were also hit. Libyan armed men on the port of Tripoli captured an Italian ship comprising of crew members eight from Italy, two from India and one from Ukraine. The Italian Ship named ASSO 22, belongs to Augusta Off Shore Society, was sending staff of the ENI Petroleum Co. to Libya. It arrived in Tripoli on Saturday afternoon after the staff departed, the crew was held up by the armed personnel of the port.

Al Jazeera reported that on 20 March a bombardment had destroyed 14 tanks and several trucks filled with ammunition and RPGs, killing 14 pro-Gaddafi soldiers in the process. Three of Gaddafi's tanks have just reached the centre of rebel-held Misurata, a spokesman for the armed opposition tells Al Jazeera.

China, Russia and the Arab League have condemned the violence from the US and France with Russia claiming that the UN resolution was "hastily adopted". At about 5:10PM local time, a health official in Tripoli increased the death toll from 48 to 64. More anti-aircraft fire was heard in Tripoli at about 8:30PM local time. At 9:00PM local time the government once again called for a ceasefire. However Al Jazeera reporters later questioned the spokesperson for the military, he replied that no one would in the public would be informed of this by media. At 10:26PM local time a loud explosion was reported nearby Gaddafi's compound, Bab al-Azizia in Tripoli. It was confirmed by CNN Nick Robertson that a building at the heart of the Azizia compound has in fact been destroyed.