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MACDILL AFB, FL – For the second time today, coalition aircraft enforcing the Southern No-Fly Zone in Iraq struck military targets in response to Iraqi provocations. The second attack occurred at approximately 8:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in response to Anti-Aircraft Artillery fire directed at coalition aircraft.

The strikes were conducted in the vicinity of As Samawah which is approximately 130 miles southeast of Baghdad; near Ar Rumaylah which is approximately 300 miles southeast of Baghdad and, near Al Kharm located approximately 75 miles south of Baghdad.

U.S. Air Force F-15E "Strike Eagle," U.S. Navy F/A-18 "Hornet" and British Royal Air Force GR-1 "Tornado" aircraft operating from land and sea bases in the Southwest Asia region used precision-guided weapons to strike an Iraqi surface-to-air missile site and two military communications sites.

There were no coalition aircraft damaged during the incident and battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Earlier today, coalition aircraft struck four military targets in the vicinity of Basrah after two Iraqi aircraft violated the southern no-fly zone.

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.

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 which enforce United Nations sanctions and restrictions of the no-fly zone south of the 33^rd parallel in Iraq.