Iraqis resume attacks on ONW aircraft
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (9 Sep 99) -- Earlier today, Iraqi forces again fired anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) at Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft. Today's action took place from sites north of Ba'ashiqah and Tali Kayif.
The Iraqi attacks took place during routine flights enforcing the northern No-Fly zone. Coalition aircraft responded in self-defense. They dropped precision-guided-munitions (PGMs) on a surface-to-air missile (SAM) support site west of the city of Mosul. All action took place north of the 36th parallel.
Damage to the Iraqi installations 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 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.
Updated 09 September 1999
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