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Red Alert: Libyan Forces Approach Benghazi
Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi began to approach the
eastern rebel capital of Benghazi on March 19, with the BBC reporting
that loyalist armor already is inside the city, though this may have
been only a reconnaissance element. Soon after these reports, word of
impending international military operations against Gadhafi’s forces
began to emerge, with French and Italian aircraft reportedly beginning
to conduct combat air patrols.
Though Gadhafi declared a unilateral cease-fire in response to the U.N.
Security Council’s (UNSC) authorization of the use of force against
Libya on March 17, it is becoming apparent that this was simply a
stalling tactic in an attempt to consolidate gains ahead of airstrikes.
The military incentive for Gadhafi is to reach Benghazi before any
airstrikes begin. If a “no-drive” zone between Ajdabiya and Benghazi
were to come into effect, military vehicles and supply convoys would be
vulnerable to any coalition aircraft orbiting overhead, making it far
more difficult for Gadhafi to project force across the large open
terrain that separates the two cities. Airpower can also make it
difficult to move and resupply forces, so the heavier elements of
Gadhafi’s forces — tanks, tracked vehicles and artillery — already
operating at the end of extended lines of supply, may quickly face
logistical issues. However, while airpower can attempt to prevent forces
from approaching the city, it cannot force the withdrawal of those
forces from within the city without risking significant civilian
casualties. Read more »
