Free Libyan Air Force: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 16:48, 20 March 2011
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| This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2011) |
| Free Libyan Air Force | |
|---|---|
 Former flag of Libya | |
| Leaders | Ali Atiyya |
| Dates of operation | 2011–present |
| Headquarters | Benghazi |
| Active regions | Libya |
| Ideology | Anti-Gaddafi |
| Part of | National Transitional Council |
| Battles and wars | 2011 Libyan uprising |
The Free Libyan Air Force (Arabic: القوات الجوية ليبيا الحرة) is the air force of the National Transitional Council, a collection of defected Loyalist Military personnel and captured aircrafts that have aligned themselves with the Anti-Gaddafi forces in the 2011 Libyan Uprising.[1]
On March 13, 2011, Ali Atiyya, a colonel of the Libyan Air Force at the Mitiga military airport, near Tripoli defected and joined the revolution.[2] This is the earliest reference to the Anti-Gaddafi forces having Air Force personnel.
Later on March 16, two fighter jets allegedly landed at Benghazi airport and joined the rebel forces.
Operations
The FLAF reportedly launched an attack on three armed oil tankers, sinking two and damaging the third, and also attacked a military convoy, en route from Sirte to Ajdabiya, with three helicopters.[citation needed]
On 19 March, a MiG-23BN was shot down over Benghazi. Media reports were initially confused, until a spokesman confirmed that the plane belonged to the rebels. A pro-Gaddafi spokesman said that the rebels had violated the UN "no-fly zone".[4][1] Fox News reported that the rebels appear to have shot down the plane which was bombing Benghazi.[5] However, according to the rebel spokesperson, the aircraft was shot down by pro-Gaddafi forces.[6] BBC News reported on 20 March that the rebel aircraft was shot down by its own air defenses, and the pilot was killed after ejecting too late.[3]
Aircraft
References
- ^ a b Libya Feb 17 http://www.libyafeb17.com/
{{citation}}: Missing or empty|title=(help). - ^ http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/crowd-mourns-ali-hassan-al-jabir/
- ^ a b "Benghazi 'bombarded by pro-Gaddafi forces'". BBC News. 20 Mar 2011. Retrieved 20 Mar 2011.
- ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/19/c_13787579.htm
- ^ http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/news/world/story/Plane-shot-down-over-rebel-held-city-in-Libya/9x2_eMAtKU6TqK6LILL-rw.cspx
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0orW5K8Xoas&feature=related
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12588839