Iraq Attacks Operation Northern Watch Aircraft Monitoring No-Fly Zone
January 31, 2003
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND -- Stuttgart Germany Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft were fired upon and threatened by elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system today.
Coalition aircraft continued to enforce the northern no-fly zone and responded in self-defense to the Iraqi attacks by dropping munitions on Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery approximately 10 miles east of Mosul.
All coalition aircraft departed the area safely.
Based out of Incirlik AB, Turkey, Operation Northern Watch is conducted by a coalition of U.S., United Kingdom and Turkish forces who enforce the no-fly zone in northern Iraq and monitor Iraqi forces to determine compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
Coalition aircraft have been enforcing the northern no-fly zone for approximately 12 years. Since Dec. 28, 1998, Saddam Hussein has opted to challenge this enforcement by firing at coalition aircraft with surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and by targeting them with weapons radar.
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