Coalition aircraft strike targets south of Al Basrah

Coalition aircraft strike targets south of Al Basrah

Released: 4 Mar 1999

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- British Royal Air Force GR-1 Tornado aircraft enforcing the southern no-fly zone struck an Iraqi military radar site at about 8:15 a.m. EST March 4 about 15 miles south of Al Basrah near Ash Shuaybah.

The strikes were in response to two Iraqi violations of the no-fly zone and aircraft illuminations by Iraqi surface-to-air missile sites.

There were no coalition aircraft damaged during the incident, and battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Coalition air and naval forces are responsible for enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq and U.N.-mandated maritime sanctions. At the same time, according to a U.S. Central Command statement, "these forces continuously assess the level of threat posed by the Iraqi forces and take actions necessary to reduce these threats and to defend themselves."

There have been more than 95 southern no-fly zone violations and more than 35 incidents involving Iraqi surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and target-tracking radar illuminations against coalition aircraft.

Coalition forces enforcing the southern no-fly zone have responded by attacking more than 40 targets that threatened coalition forces and violated U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to the U.S. Central Command statement.

"Since the end of Operation Desert Fox, Saddam Hussein has significantly increased the threat to our pilots and aircrews patrolling the no-fly zones through his rhetoric and actions," the statement continued. "Iraq has announced its intent to bring down a coalition aircraft, and in fact has issued a bounty to Iraqi military personnel for a successful engagement.

"Despite repeated warnings, Iraqi actions and intentions pose serious threats to our coalition forces and friends in the region. Our actions today are an appropriate response to these threats and are in support of U.N. mandates."