498 Chapter 5
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The United States moved an aircraft carrier toward the Libyan coast
as Libya began its intervention into neighboring Chad. The United States also sent
AWACS planes to Sudan to help France defend Chad, but the Reagan administration
became frustrated because France was slow on shifting their fighters to the area.
MID#3051
Started in March 1984. See the narrative in the 620 Libya/625 Sudan dyad dispute list.
MID#3620
Started in November 1985. See the narrative in the 620 Libya/651 Egypt dyad dispute
list.
MID#3636
Dispute Number: 3636
Date(s): January 13, 1986 to April 15, 1986
Participants: 620 Libya/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side A (None)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: On January 13, 1986, two Libyan planes buzzed an American surveillance
plane that was north of Libya, but left before American warplanes arrived. On January
25, US President Reagan ordered American forces to conduct flight operations close
to Libya. On April 9, Reagan approved plans to attack Libya, and on April 14 and
15, American warplanes bombed two Libyan targets deemed to be “terrorist related.”
This was allegedly in retaliation for the bombing of West Germany when an American
soldier was killed. Further military action was threatened. Reagan laid the blame for
the attacks on the Soviet Union for not restraining Libya, and threatened Libya against
further actions.
MID#2775
Dispute Number: 2775
Date(s): January 2, 1989
Participants: 2 United States of America/620 Libya
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Tensions grew between the United States and Libya as Libya’s ability to
produce chemical weapons was realized. Libyan fighters then engaged US navy fight-
ers and were shot down.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from December 30, 1988. End Date changed
from January 4, 1989. Fatalities changed from Missing.