Why did the US launch a missile strike on Libyan air defenses March 19 2011?

Answer 1

They launched a missile strike (with the UK) because Col Al Gaddafi was continuing to attack rebel's and the UN decided that action must be taken if he continued to attack rebel base's so America and the UK (France also dropped bombs from planes) attacked.

The US launched a Tomahawk missile strike on Libya because of the ferocious acts done by the Libyan president, Gaddafi. After weeks of attacking anti-Qaddafi forces and dismantling peaceful protests by killing his own people, the US, joined by multiple countries such as France, England, and Canada, delivered a warning to Qaddafi, saying that if he did not cease fire within a strict time limit, he will face consequences, which were military interferences.

The assembled paramilitaries under Gaddafi tried to infiltrate Benghazi, the second largest city in the country which was occupied by the resistance or rebels. On Thursday, Gaddafi said that he will cease fire, and negotiate. However, many witnesses and news agencies reported that Gaddafi forces were still trying to enter Benghazi. This ultimately forced some countries to take the necessary military actions against Libya, after an almost unanimous decision to attack. A no-fly zone was also imposed on the country.

The goals of the US and joined forces were to destroy anti-air defense systems set up by Gaddafi's forces. The US kicked in the military campaign with 112 Tomahawk missiles on west Tripoli which nearly destroyed most of its targets. Reports from the Libyan news channel claimed that citizens were harmed. Others claimed the missiles targeted some crude oil stations and petroleum reservoirs.