Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

                     Identical letters dated 27 May 2002 from the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and to the President of the Security Council

 

 

           On instructions from my Government, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a letter dated 27 May 2002 from Mr. Naji Sabri, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq. The Minister calls attention to the ongoing wanton aggression against Iraq by United States and British aircraft in the unlawful no-flight zones and to the fact that in the period from 16 April to 16 May 2002 they carried out 844 armed sorties, 52 of them from Saudi Arabia, 656 from Kuwait and 136 from Turkey, as shown in the statement enclosed with the letter. On 19 April and 1 May 2002, United States and British aircraft bombed civilian and military sites in Ninawa Governorate, killing one citizen and wounding five others and damaging a number of civilian and military installations.

           The Minister reaffirms the Government of Iraq's position that the United States of America and the United Kingdom must bear full international responsibility for these acts of aggression and terrorism, and he further states that Iraq reserves its right, as established by the Charter of the United Nations and international law, to defend itself against this ongoing hostile, terrorist activity. He expresses the hope that you will perform the duties assigned to you under the Charter, that you will urge the governments of the countries in question to halt forthwith their constant aggression against Iraq and that you will call upon the regional parties to desist from providing the necessary facilities.

           I should be grateful if you would have the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council.

 

 

(Signed) Mohammed A. Aldouri
Permanent Representative

                     Annex to the identical letters dated 27 May 2002 from the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations
addressed to the Secretary-General and to the President of
the Security Council

 

 

           I should like to inform you that the United States of America and the United Kingdom have continued their aerial aggression against the Republic of Iraq. United States and British warplanes based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Turkey have thus continued to violate Iraq's airspace. They flew 844 armed sorties in the period from 16 April to 16 May 2002, 52 of them from Saudi Arabia, 656 from Kuwait and 136 from Turkey, as shown in the statement enclosed herewith.

           In the course of these acts of aggression, on 19 April 2002 United States and British aircraft bombed civilian and military sites in Ninawa Governorate, damaging civilian and military installations.

           On 1 May 2002, United States and British aircraft bombed civilian and military sites in Ninawa Governorate, killing one citizen and wounding five others and damaging civilian and military installations.

           On 3 May 2002, two United States warplanes broke the sound barrier in the Umm Qasr area of Basrah Governorate, breaking windowpanes in homes and government offices.

           The enforcement by the United States and the United Kingdom of no-flight zones in northern and southern Iraq is a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, the established norms of international law and the Security Council resolutions urging States to respect Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, and it constitutes armed aggression against Iraq that has been ongoing since 1991. The international community has condemned the maintenance of the no-flight zones as representing an illegal use of force against an independent State. At his press conference of 19 December 2001 the Secretary-General of the United Nations did the same, when he said (press release SG/SM/8081):

"[I indicated that] ... I did not see anything in the Security Council resolution that authorizes the imposition or the enforcement of a no-flight zone. But several countries have decided to do it ...".

           The attacks being launched by United States and British aircraft on Iraqi towns and villages and on structures that are basic to life in the country, including health-care and educational establishments and houses of worship, constitute blatant and continuing State terrorism and gross interference in the internal affairs of Iraq. When the 30-nation aggression of 1991 failed to break the will of Iraqis or to impair their freedom and independence, the United States and the United Kingdom proceeded to take the unilateral decision to impose the no-flight zones, first in northern Iraq on 7 April 1991 and then in southern Iraq on 27 August 1992, and they used armed force to attack Iraqi civilian and military installations with a view to undermining Iraq's stability and endangering the lives of its people.

           Since the no-flight zones were first imposed, there have been 211,154 violations by United States and British aircraft, including violations in which military and civilian sites have been bombed and destroyed, and 1,142 people have been killed and more than 1,261 injured.

           Although the entire world has condemned this aggression and despite the letters we address to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council providing details of these acts of terrorist aggression, the United States continues to proclaim its contempt for the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Security Council, and the Security Council has taken no action with regard to this terrorist aggression. This raises serious questions about the credibility of the United Nations and the Security Council and about their capacity to apply the norms of the Charter to all without distinction and without the use of double standards or to halt the acts of aggression of two of the permanent members of the Council that endanger regional and international peace and security.

           The Government of Iraq considers that the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom must bear full responsibility for this terrorist aggression. It affirms Iraq's established entitlement under the Charter of the United Nations and international law to exercise its legitimate right to defend itself against this ongoing hostile, terrorist activity.

           In the context of the responsibilities assigned to you as they relate to the maintenance of international peace and security, we express the hope that you will call upon the governments of the countries in question to halt forthwith their continuing aggression against Iraq and that you will urge the regional parties that are facilitating its continuation to desist from doing so.

 

 

(Signed) Naji Sabri
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Enclosure

 

                     Violations of the airspace of the Republic of Iraq by United States and British warplanes, 16 April-16 May 2002

 

 

                    I.     Northern region

 

           In the northern region 136 armed sorties were flown at speeds of 720 to 780 kilometres per hour and at altitudes of 6,000 to 12,000 metres, as follows:

1.        At 1450 hours on 19 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out eight armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Amadiyah, Aqrah, Dohuk, Bartalah and Ayn Sifni areas. On the same day, United States and British aircraft bombed civilian and military sites in Ninawa Governorate, damaging civilian and military installations. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1630 hours, drove them off.

2.        At 1400 hours on 25 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 12 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Amadiyah, Baibo, Dohuk, Ayn Zalah, Aqrah, Zakho and Tall Afar areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1615 hours, drove them off.

3.        At 1510 hours on 29 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 12 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Amadiyah, Dohuk, Ayn Zalah, Mosul and Baibo areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1800 hours, drove them off.

4.        At 1405 hours on 1 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 16 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Baibo, Amadiyah, Dohuk, Zakho, Irbil, Tall Afar, Shaqlawah and Mosul areas. The aircraft bombed civilian and military sites in Ninawa Governorate, killing one citizen and wounding five others and damaging civilian and military installations. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1635 hours, drove them off.

5.        At 1120 hours on 6 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 12 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Amadiyah, Baibo, Dohuk, Aqrah, Ayn Zalah, Tall Afar and Mosul areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1300 hours, drove them off.

6.        At 1100 hours on 7 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 14 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Amadiyah, Aqrah, Dohuk, Mosul and Irbil areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1400 hours, drove them off.

7.        At 1115 hours on 12 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 18 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Dohuk, Aqrah, Irbil, Rawanduz and Dokan areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1430 hours, drove them off.

8.        At 1240 hours on 14 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 14 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Dohuk, Aqrah, Irbil, Baibo, Amadiyah and Mosul areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1500 hours, drove them off.

9.        At 1130 hours on 15 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 14 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Dohuk, Aqrah, Irbil, Mosul and Amadiyah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1400 hours, drove them off.

10.      At 1200 hours on 16 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Turkey and from Turkish airspace penetrated Iraq's airspace in the northern region. They carried out 16 armed sorties, were supported by an AWACS aircraft operating inside Turkish airspace and overflew the Zakho, Dohuk, Aqrah, Irbil, Rawanduz, Amadiyah, Mosul and Ayn Zalah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1435 hours, drove them off.

 

                   II.     Southern region

 

           In the southern region 708 armed sorties were flown at speeds of 720 to 780 kilometres per hour and at altitudes of 9,000 to 13,000 metres, as follows:

1.        At 1155 hours on 16 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 26 armed sorties, six of them from Saudi territory with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace and 20 from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an E-2C command and control aircraft operating inside Kuwaiti airspace. They overflew the Ashbajah, Jalibah, Salman, Busayyah, Lasaf and Artawi areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1325 hours, drove them off.

2.        At 1145 hours on 17 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15 and F-16 aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Saudi and Kuwaiti airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 22 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Artawi, Busayyah, Jalibah and Salman areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1345 hours, drove them off.

3.        At 1145 hours on 18 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, F‑18, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Saudi and Kuwaiti airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 18 armed sorties, six of them from Saudi territory with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace and 12 from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an E-2C command and control aircraft operating inside Kuwaiti airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Artawi, Salman and Ashbajah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1330 hours, drove them off.

4.        At 1225 hours on 19 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 16 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Jalibah, Artawi, Lasaf, Samawah and Amghar areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1430 hours, drove them off.

5.        At 1600 hours on 20 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 20 armed sorties, four of them from Saudi territory with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace and 16 from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an E-2C command and control aircraft operating inside Kuwaiti airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Lasaf, Salman, Artawi, Ashbajah, Samawah and Rumaythah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1810 hours, drove them off.

6.        At 1600 hours on 21 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 14 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Salman, Ashbajah and Jalibah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1740 hours, drove them off.

7.        At 1305 hours on 22 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 16 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Jalibah, Salman, Ashbajah, Lasaf and Busayyah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1500 hours, drove them off.

8.        At 1225 hours on 23 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-18, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 16 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Jalibah, Salman, Lasaf, Artawi, Nukhayb and Ashbajah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1340 hours, drove them off.

9.        At 1310 hours on 25 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 34 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Nasiriyah, Jalibah, Busayyah, Salman, Artawi, Samawah and Lasaf areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1615 hours, drove them off.

10.      At 1345 hours on 26 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 28 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Salman, Ashbajah, Basrah, Nasiriyah, Jalibah, Lasaf and Nukhayb areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1915 hours, drove them off.

11.      At 1205 hours on 27 April 2002, United States and British F-15, F-18, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 34 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Jalibah, Busayyah, Salman and Ashbajah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1515 hours, drove them off.

12.      At 1105 hours on 28 April 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16, F‑18, Tornado and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 40 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Artawi, Jalibah, Suq al-Shuyukh, Salman, Ashbajah and Lasaf areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1615 hours, drove them off.

13.      At 0335 hours on 1 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15 and F-16 aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 34 armed sorties, 10 of them from Saudi territory with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace and 24 from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Jalibah, Salman, Busayyah, Ashbajah, Lasaf and Ma`aniyah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0615 hours, drove them off.

14.      At 0430 hours on 2 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 30 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an E-2C command and control aircraft operating inside Kuwaiti airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Salman, Ashbajah and Lasaf areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0740 hours, drove them off.

15.      At 0305 hours on 3 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 34 armed sorties, 16 of them from Saudi territory and 56 from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Salman, Ashbajah, Jalibah, Lasaf, Busayyah and Suq al-Shuyukh areas. Two United States warplanes broke the sound barrier in the Umm Qasr area of Basrah Governorate, breaking windowpanes in homes and government offices. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0635 hours, drove them off.

16.      At 2110 hours on 4 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 66 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Salman, Ashbajah, Lasaf, Artawi, Nukhayb, Suq al-Shuyukh and Jalibah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 2210 hours, drove them off.

17.      At 2100 hours on 5 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 39 armed sorties, eight of them from Saudi territory and 31 from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Salman, Ashbajah, Jalibah, Lasaf and Busayyah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 2305 hours, drove them off.

18.      At 2110 hours on 7 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 44 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Salman, Ashbajah, Lasaf, Artawi and Jalibah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 2320 hours, drove them off.

19.      At 1300 hours on 9 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-18 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 29 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Salman, Ashbajah, Lasaf, Artawi, Jalibah and Busayyah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 1430 hours, drove them off.

20.      At 2240 hours on 12 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 13 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Ashbajah, Lasaf and Busayyah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0005 hours, drove them off.

21.      At 2240 hours on 13 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 44 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Ashbajah, Lasaf, Busayyah, Salman, Jalibah and Artawi areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0200 hours, drove them off.

22.      At 2320 hours on 14 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15, F-16 and EA-6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 24 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Lasaf, Busayyah, Salman, Jalibah, Artawi and Nukhayb areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0045 hours, drove them off.

23.      At 2300 hours on 15 May 2002, United States and British F-14, F-15 and EA‑6B aircraft coming from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and from Kuwaiti and Saudi airspace and territorial waters penetrated Iraq's airspace in the southern region. They carried out 28 armed sorties from Kuwaiti territory and by way of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait with the support of an AWACS command and control aircraft operating inside Saudi airspace. They overflew the Busayyah, Salman, Jalibah, Artawi, Nukhayb and Samawah areas. Our air defences, acting in exercise of the legitimate right to defend the homeland, engaged the aircraft and, at 0040 hours, drove them off.