March 24 War in Libya 2011

March 24 War in Libya 2011, NATO takes command of operations

• Fourteen Tomahawk missiles were launched overnight in Libya by the allies, says a spokesman for US Africa Command in Germany.
• Fighting in both Ajdabiya and Misurata continues. Tanks re-entered Misurata after previously retreating. The regime attempted to capture Misurata's port with naval warships, but witnesses claim they retreated. The coalition plans to step up air-strikes on Ajdabiya and government positions, and is beginning to coordinate with rebels.
• A French fighter jet also reportedly shot down a Libyan military trainer aircraft which was breaking the no-fly-zone. It was a Soko G-2 Galeb, single-engine military aircraft.
• A member of the opposition forces was claiming a major success – killing 30 government snipers in Misurata. He also says that all Libyan government military vessels have abandoned the port.
• The Al Jufra Air Base was bombed by French aircraft. Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim stated that the base was struck before dawn.
• A spokesman for the anti-Gaddafi forces said that Gaddafi troops in Ajdabiya were trying to surrender. Col. Ahmad Omar Bani stated that the anti-Gaddafi forces "received information from freedom fighters in Ajdabiya saying some Gaddafi fighters have offered to leave their tanks".
• NATO took command of the no-fly zone, although there is still confusion over the mission’s aims