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Coalition Forces Strike Iraqi Targets

MACDILL AFB, FL – Coalition aircraft flying an Operation Southern Watch mission attacked Iraqi military targets in response to violations of the southern no-fly zone by Iraqi MiG-23s.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, today, U.S. Air Force F-15Es, U.S. Navy F-14s and F/A-18s operating from land and sea bases in the Southwest Asia region, responded to the Iraqi provocation by dropping precision guided munitions. The targets included radar sites and associated facilities near Al Habbariyah, approximately 135 miles southwest of Baghdad, and near Al Amarah, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad. All aircraft have returned to their bases safely and battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Coalition air and naval forces are responsible for enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq and UN-mandated maritime sanctions. At the same time, these forces 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.

Since Operation DESERT FOX, the Iraqi military has been increasing both the pace and severity of no-fly zone violations, and continued to enhance its military capabilities in Southern Iraq in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

There have been more than 90 no-fly zone violations and more than 70 incidents involving Iraqi surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and target tracking radar illuminations against coalition aircraft. Coalition forces have responded by attacking more than 37 targets that threatened coalition forces and were in violation of the UN resolutions.

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 the UN mandates.