Iraqis continue to fire at ONW aircraft
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (28 Aug 99) -- Earlier today, Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) at Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft from two sites north and northeast of Mosul, and an additional site in Tall Afar. Coalition aircraft also received indications of surface-to-air (SAM) guidance.
The Iraqi attacks took place during routine flights the purpose of which are to enforce the northern No-Fly zone. Coalition aircraft responded in self-defense. They dropped precision-guided-munitions on a military radar site south of the city of Mosul, located in the northern no-fly zone. A High-Speed-Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) was fired in response to the SAM guidance signal.Damage to the Iraqi installation is currently being assessed.
All coalition aircraft departed the area safely.
Coalition aircraft have been enforcing the Northern No-fly Zone for more than eight years. Since Dec. 28, 1998, Saddam Hussein has opted to challenge this enforcement by firing at coalition aircraft with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and anti-aircraft artillery. Operation Northern Watch aircraft will respond in self- defense to these threats while continuing to enforce the no-fly zone.
For more information, please contact the Combined Task Force Combined Information Bureau, ctf.cib@incirlik.af.mil, or phone +90-322-316-3704.
Operation Northern Watch
Updated 29 August 1999
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