190 likes | 444 Views
The Bombing Of Libya. By Ricky Foster Period 6. Leading Up To Attack. Founded that Libya’s government financed Muslim, Anti-U.S., Anti-British, Palestinian guerillas, Philippine rebels, Irish Republican Army, and the Black Panthers All were a terrorist group bound for destruction.
E N D
The Bombing Of Libya By Ricky Foster Period 6
Leading Up To Attack • Founded that Libya’s government financed Muslim, Anti-U.S., Anti-British, Palestinian guerillas, Philippine rebels, Irish Republican Army, and the Black Panthers • All were a terrorist group bound for destruction
Leading Up to Attack Pt. 2 • In 1981 Libya fired at a U.S. aircraft that was traveling through the Gulf of Sidra which Libya claimed in 1973 as Libyan territorial waters • On contrary the U.S. also discovered terrorist plots sponsored by Libya • These include the bombing of the U.S. embassy (where ?) and assassination attempts on U.S. officials (where ?)
There was two different types of planes 14 A-G-E navy attack jets: stationed in the Mediterranean 18 FB 111 bombers: Stationed in England Planes
Day Before • On April 15th Libyan patrol boats fired missiles at a U.S. Navy communications station • Located on the Italian Island of Lamedusa • Thankfully missiles fell short and no one perished
Operation El Dorado Canyon • Code Name for the attack • Qaddafi’s 15 year old daughter was also killed in the attack, and two of his young sons were injured • Although he never admitted it, Qaddafi may have been wounded in the attack
The Day it happened • Happened on April 14, 1986 • U.S. launched the attack due to Libya’s sponsorship of terrorism • Involved many U.S. Air force and Navy Aircraft
Continued…. • Five designated military targets “terrorism centers” • Happened within an hour • Even before the attack was over, Reagan went on T.V. to discuss the air strike • Reagan said, “When our citizens are abused or attacked anywhere in the world,” “we will respond in self-defense. Today we have done what we had to do. If necessary, we shall do it again “
Later years • No other terrorist attacks from Libya until the bombing in 1988 on Pan Am 747 Lockerbie, Scotland • 259 passengers were and 11 people on the ground were killed • Early 1990’s two suspects were identified by investigators for the bombing • Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah
Continued…. • In 1999 Colonel Moammar Gadhafi agreed to hand over the two suspects for the 1988 bombing • Early 2001 al-Megrahi was convicted and sentened to life in prison • Still claims his innocence and tries to fight his conviction • Fhima was acquitted
Surprise • Qaddafi surprised many by becoming first Muslim heads of state to denounce al-Qaida after attacks on September 11, 2001 • In 2003 he gained favor with the administration of George W. Bush • He announced the existence to build weapons of mass destruction and told the U.S. that a international agency to come inspect and dismantle them
Surprise…. • Some government officials blame Qaddafi for the damage on 9/11 but others say he’s been making this claim since 1999 but was simple ignored
Work Cited • http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-bombs-libya • Quote found from History.com