Iraqis attack ONW aircraft again
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (10 Sep 99) -- Earlier today, Iraqi forces again fired anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) at Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft. Today's action was in the vicinity of Tall-Afar.
The Iraqi attack 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 (PGMs) on an air-defense-warning site south of the city of Mosul. This site is part of the integrated-air-defense-system (IADS) that has been regularly attacking coalition aircraft.
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 10 September 1999
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