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MACDILL AFB, FL – Today, coalition aircraft enforcing the Southern No-Fly-Zone were illuminated by Iraqi fire control radar and fired upon by Iraqi anti-aircraft-artillery in the vicinity of An Nasiriyah.

Subsequently, Operation Southern Watch aircraft used precision guided munitions to strike an Iraqi missile site on the Al Faw Peninsula and air defense sites at An Najaf and Ar Rifa. There were no coalition aircraft damaged during the incident and 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. There have been more than 80 no-fly zone violations and more than 20 engagements by Iraqi surface-to-air missile sites, anti-aircraft artillery and radar illuminations against coalition aircraft.

Despite repeated warnings, Iraqi actions and intentions pose serious threats to our coalition forces and friends in the region. Our actions today are an appropriate response to these threats and are in support of our ongoing containment policy.

The 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.

These aircraft are part of Operation Southern Watch that enforces United Nations sanctions and restrictions of the no-fly zone south of the 33^rd parallel in Iraq.