RAF Tornado aircraft flying from the Italian base of Gioia del Colle carried out the strikes Wednesday around the rebel-held city as part of a multinational operation to protect civilians, the Ministry of Defence announced.
"In the course of these patrols the aircraft launched Paveway IV and Brimstone missiles against military assets of pro-Kadhafi forces in the Misrata area," the ministry said in a statement.
"These missiles hit three main battle tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles and a surface-to-air missile site."
The Tornados were supported by VC10 tanker aircraft, as well as Nimrod R1, Sentinel and E3-D reconnaissance aircraft flying from bases at Akrotiri in Cyprus and Trapani on Sicily.
A Lynx helicopter from the frigate HMS Cumberland, which is patrolling the waters off Libya, also made a number of search missions over land Wednesday to enforce a UN arms embargo against the country, the ministry said.
Air strikes by British, US and French aircraft have targeted pro-Kadhafi forces to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973 which allows civilians to be protected from attack.
Rebel fighters called for more air strikes after they were forced into a chaotic retreat on Wednesday.
Forces loyal to Kadhafi blasted Misrata on Wednesday after 18 people were killed in fighting the previous day, rebels and a medic told AFP.(*)
(T.KR-DLN/B002)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
