Operation Unified Protector: Targeting Densely Populated Areas in Libya

Although at rst sight many issues related to targeting densely populated areas seem similar, regardless of the type of con ict and the area where hostilities take place, it should be recalled that what works in the framework of one operation does not necessarily work in another operational context. This can be illustrated by two contemporary con icts in which air assets play or played a major role: Afghanistan and Libya. Air operations conducted in the framework of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are similar but not identical (and thus different) from those conducted during Operation Uni ed Protector (OUP). This is based on the fact that different criteria impact on the execution of air operations, including: the strategic end state, the nature of the enemy forces, the classi cation of the con ict, the mission-speci c air operations, the presence of ground forces, and the rules of engagement. It is crucial to be aware of those differences, because otherwise there is a risk of applying the wrong standards or the wrong rules of engagement to the wrong con ict. What worked for Operation Uni ed Protector worked in Libya (at that time) but doesn’t necessarily work in Afghanistan, and vice versa. This is a logical consequence of the differing surrounding conditions in which the air crews had to operate in Afghanistan and Libya. In sum: every con ict is characterized by its own dynamics, despite the similarities to other con icts.