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What does a no-fly zone actually mean?

As some countries consider imposing a no-fly zone in relation to Libya, the pertinent question must be what does that mean and entail?

FP provides the answers:

"It depends on the circumstances. There are two primary types of no-fly zones imposed by air forces. The first is imposed by one military over another, while the two sides are at war. In practice, this type of no-fly zone amounts to a warning from one side that it will engage the other's aircraft if they are spotted in a given territory.

The second type, more applicable to the situation in Libya, is when an outside power possessing overwhelming air superiority restricts flights over a given country in order to discourage an internal conflict or humanitarian crisis. This is a relatively recent tactic, which was used most famously in Bosnia and Iraq during the 1990s. No-fly zones are often a compromise in situations where the international community is demanding a response to ongoing violence, but full military intervention would be politically untenable.

The establishment of no-fly zones is authorized under Chapter 42 of the U.N. Charter, which states that if non-military methods are insufficient for responding to a threat to international peace, "demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations" may be employed."

Comments

Unknown said…
Thank you... I really didn't know what was meant by a no fly zone... you cleared it up pretty good.
Anonymous said…
Thanks, but the question is wht is the out come of no-fly zone? the Libyan aircrafts are not permitted to fly over Libya? and if this is the case, what will happen if the the fly over Libya?
Anonymous said…
Shaukat:

You are a fool and uncomparable buffoon to support the murderous atrocities of a military fascist regime with no sense for what is human right in this world. It's disgusting to hear.

You will see that this man, ruling the country with iron hand for 40 years soon enough will no longer be in power.

You can think whatever you want about him and the U.S. (I do too), but this is NOT about Obama or his country. This is about a people that is being slaughtered by its own state and military for demanding their democratic rights as human beings on this planet and resisting this opression.

Yes, hearing your hipocricy and lack of any sense for humanity disgusts me to my stomache and makes me realize much more the help this people is in dire need of.

/Hannes
Anonymous said…
Or is it just about oil as that is the common thread with all these countries? Including as not many people are aware - Vietnam.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
dear hannes,

it seems that you never went to school or if you did it was not a good one.
my parents, my school and my faith taught me how to be a good human being by practicing tolerance.
"i hear what you say, i respect what you say, but i do not necessarily agree with what you say".
you see young man you have mis-understood what i am trying to tell you and that is that gaddafi or behrain or saudi arabia did a beautiful thing by allowing the foreigners to come to his country and live with dignity. these foreigners once settled started demanding their rights.if something like this happened in my house i would vacate this evil person at any cost. you see my young friend that this is not a political problem - this is a religious and an ethnic problem perpetuated by some mad molvi's. you tell me if some guest in your house whom you had been so kind to wanted to throw you out of your house how would you react??
now gaddafi has reacted as every human being would the americans want to freeze his money and try him as a criminal. the question hannes is that bahrain and saudi arabia have done the same thing that gaddafi has done and added to that saudi arabia has sent in troops and so has the united emirates. i ask you will the evil bully obama threaten these countries and try them as criminals?
i think not.you see oil is might and might is always right. thats all i am trying to say.
i forgive you for your rantings in my faith of tolerance.

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