Essay On Libya Bombings

Although the bombings did not happen on America’s home front it is still a major event in American history that should never be forgotten. On April 14, 1986 America had launched air strikes towards Libya to retaliate the Libyan support of terrorism against the United States. The air strikes began shortly before 7 p.m. and involved more than 100 U.S. Air Force aircrafts. The airstrikes were over in approximately an hour but left a huge impact on the 1980s. Five “terrorism centers” were hit. This included the headquarters of the Muammar al-Qaddafi, the leader of Libya. Qaddafi had financed anti-American and anti-British terrorist groups like the Black panthers and Muslim extremists. In an attempt to stop the Libyan government, America imposed

Libya received the blame. Ronald Reagan had frozen Libyan assets in America. In 1986, the United States and Libya met on the waters in the Gulf of Sidra. They skirmished until four Libyan ships sunk. In that same year, Libyan terrorists bombed a West Berlin hall that housed U.S. servicemen frequently. One American serviceman was killed and over 50 were wounded. Thankfully, the United States intercepted a radio message from Libya ordering an attack on LaBelle discotheque. The United States decided to bomb Libya on April 14. The mission was named Operation El Dorado Canyon. Their air strikes targeted Tripoli and Benghazi. Used in the attack were the 14 A-6E navy attack jet and 18 FB-111 bombers. Three military barracks were destroyed, Tripoli’s main airport, and an air base in Benghazi. President Ronald Reagan told the public that when our citizens our abused we will respond in self dense. He also told the public that we shall do what had been done today again if required to. Qaddafi’s adopted daughter was killed, his two songs were hurt, and Qaddafi was most-likely wounded. Fire from Libyan surface-to-air missiles was