Map: NATO attacks on Libyan cities

View the geographic spread of nearly 1,000 coalition air strikes on Gaddafi’s pro-government forces.

bombed out tank

Click the map above for more information on the targets of NATO air strikes. Cities with up to 50 strikes in green, between 50 and 100 in yellow, and more than 100 in red.

NATO attacks on the Libyan military and government infrastructure have been occurring daily since March 31 in Operation Unified Protector, which has just been extended for another 90 days.

The 18-country mission, led by the US, UK and France, has several core goals: enforcement of a no-fly zone, maintenance of an arms embargo, protection of civilians and facilitation of humanitarian assistance.

Initially, the primary targets were Libyan air defences, anti-aircraft facilities and communications centers. NATO strikes also include bunkers, ammunition storage sites, armoured personnel carriers, artillery vehicles and tanks.

According to NATO figures compiled by the Guardian, almost 1,000 targets have been hit in about 3,000 strike sorties.

The Libyan government says that the bombing has killed 718 civilians and wounded more than 4,000. This number does not include the number of Libyan military casualties, which government officials refuse to release.

As depicted in the map above and in the pie chart below, Libya’s western cities where Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s power is concentrated have received the brunt of NATO’s attacks.

The Libyan capital, Tripoli, has been hit more than 200 times, as the Western military alliance has attempted to use intensive air raids on command-and-control bunkers to pressure Gaddafi to step aside or negotiate a ceasefire to end the revolt, which has resulted in an estimated 10,000 deaths since February.

The embattled city of Misurata has received the second-highest tally of strikes, as anti-Gaddafi forces challenge the Libyan strongman for control.

Rebels claim they have seized a number of towns in the west of the country and recently a UN investigation team accused both sides of war crimes, though it said Gaddafi’s forces had likely committed more violations.

NATO has also been stopping Libyan ships in an effort to enforce the international arms embargo on Gaddafi’s regime.

Explore more of our coverage on the Spotlight page Battle for Libya.

Source: Al Jazeera

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