In a landmark development, Denmark acknowledged its involvement in the 2011 NATO airstrike on Libya that resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians. The confession, the first of the 10 countries involved in the NATO bombing campaign, was revealed through the release of previously secret documents.
The Danish Ministry of Defense’s announcement to open an investigation came after evidence emerged showing that Danish Air Force F-16s took part in attacks linked to civilian deaths. The documents, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed that as of 2012, the Royal Danish Air Force had privately acknowledged its role in two specific airstrikes. These incidents include the June 2011 Sulman airstrike, which killed 12 civilians, and the September 2011 Sirte bombing, which killed two people, including a pregnant woman.
With this recognition long withheld, relatives of the Libyan victims did not know which country was responsible and were therefore unable to seek compensation or redress. The Danes’ confession follows an investigation by Danish news site Altinget, private hazard watchdog group Airwars, and The Guardian.
A previously secret internal Danish investigation in 2012 found that “Danish aircraft were responsible for a number of specific “He took part in the attack.” Nevertheless, the review also stated that “there is no evidence or indication that the Danish aircraft caused such casualties,” and this uncertainty means that NATO forces on the ground will not be able to assess the impact of the attack. This is attributed to his absence.
The disclosure of Denmark’s role is important in the context of modern air warfare, where civilian casualties are often a matter of controversy. For example, Britain claims only one civilian casualty in nine years of operations against IS targets in Iraq and Syria, but this record has been questioned by experts.
In response to the Danish revelations, NATO officials claimed that the Libya operation was carried out with “unprecedented precision” and that all locations bombed were “legitimate military targets.” NATO’s policy of not sending personnel to Libya to consider an attack was also emphasized.
The participation of 10 countries, including six European countries, in the NATO-led Operation United Protector contributed to the overthrow of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. However, this intervention also led to prolonged instability in Libya. Denmark’s approval has implications for other countries involved in the operation, raising questions about military responsibility and the protection of civilians in conflict areas.
Khaled Alhamedi, whose family was killed in the Suleman strike, embodies the struggle for justice faced by the relatives of many victims. His efforts to file a lawsuit against NATO were hampered by the alliance’s immunity from prosecution. Recent revelations have led him to consider legal action against the Danish military.
Commenting on the news, AOAV Executive Director Dr. Ian Overton said: “This recognition by Denmark is an important step towards transparency in military operations and a long-awaited shift towards accountability for civilian casualties in modern warfare. It highlights that.”
In conclusion, Denmark’s admission of its role in the deadly 2011 NATO airstrike in Libya marks an important step towards transparency in military operations. This highlights the need for states to recognize and address the civilian consequences of military actions and promote a culture of accountability in international conflict resolution.
Did you find this story interesting? Please support AOAV’s work and make a donation.
to donate