Iraqis fire upon and target ONW aircraft
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (10 Feb 00) -- Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) upon Operation Northern Watch (ONW) coalition aircraft again today from sites west of Bashiqah and near Mosul. The Iraqi forces also targeted ONW aircraft with a surface-to-air missile (SAM) radar site near Tall Kayf.
The Iraqi aggression occurred 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 and by targeting them with radars. 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 at +90-322-316-3704.
Operation Northern Watch
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