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Iraqis fire at ONW aircraft

UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (2 Dec 99) -- Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) at Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft again today.  The attacks came from sites near Bashiqah, northeast of Mosul and from an area near Tall Afar and took place during routine ONW flights.  The purpose of these flights is to enforce the northern No-Fly Zone.  Coalition aircraft responded by dropping ordnance on the integrated air defense system.  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 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.