Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

MACDILL AFB, FL --At approximately 1:25 a.m. EST, coalition aircraft flying in support of Operation Southern Watch attacked an Iraqi SA-3 surface-to-air missile site and associated integrated air defense systems. The incident occurred north of the city of Basrah in the southern no-fly zone.

Two U. S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and four F/A-18 Hornets were conducting routine enforcement of the Southern no-fly zone when they responded to threats by anti-aircraft artillery fire, and by two Iraqi MiG 21s and two Iraqi MiG 23s flying south of the 33^rd parallel in Iraq.

The operation involved coalition aircraft operating from land and sea bases in the U. S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR).

All coalition aircraft have returned safely. Battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Since Operation DESERT FOX, the Iraqi military has been increasing both the pace and severity of no-fly zone violations. Despite repeated warnings, Iraqi actions and intentions pose serious threats to our aircrews, and our actions today are an appropriate response to these threats.

U.S. and coalition aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq continuously assess the level of threat posed by the Iraqi forces and take actions that are necessary to reduce these threats and to defend themselves.