ONW Aircraft Respond to Iraqi Attacks
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (16 Jan 00) -- Iraqi forces fired upon Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft again today. The Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) at coalition aircraft from sites near Bashiqah and northwest of Mosul.
Coalition aircraft responded to the Iraqi attack by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi 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 December, 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 monitor and 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
Updated 16 January 2000
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