The NATO military intervention in Libya: an operation based on the protection of civilians?

Abstract

During 2011, North Africa experienced a scene of social and political changes. Within this context, there is an uprising in Libya against the Government, which was suppressed by force. In response, NATO assumed the mission of intervening militarily in order to protect the civilian population. Despite the fact that NATO declared that it had succeeded in Libya, the results of the operation indicate that the objectives of the UN mandate were not achieved because the joint fires, and its targeting methodology, failed to protect the civilian population. The operation was structured with a military focus that ultimately derailed it from its original purpose.