February 28, 2003
Release Number: 03-02-26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION FORCES TARGET IRAQI RADAR, COMMUNICATIONS SITE
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In response to Iraqi threats to Coalition aircraft monitoring compliance of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons today to strike two targets in southern Iraq. Coalition forces targeted an early-warning radar at approximately 2:05 p.m. EST and a communications facility at approximately 6:30 p.m. EST. Both targets were located near Al Basrah, approximately 250 miles southeast of Baghdad.
Target battle damage assessment is ongoing.
The Coalition executed today's strikes after an Iraqi military aircraft violated the Southern No-Fly Zone today. The Coalition established the southern no-fly zone to ensure the safety of Coalition aircraft monitoring Iraqi compliance with U.N. Resolution 688.
The last Operation Southern Watch strike was on Feb. 26, when Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target Iraqi two cable repeater sites used for communications in targeting Coalition aircraft.
Coalition aircraft never target the civilian population or infrastructure and go to painstaking lengths to avoid injury to civilians and damage to civilian facilities.
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