Anglo-American warplanes bomb Iraqi defences
British and American warplanes bombed Iraqi defence systems in the northern no-fly zone today after being fired upon during routine patrols, the US military said.
The planes used precision-guided weapons to target Iraqi air defence systems, said US European Command.
The allied jets went into action when Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft weapons at them.
The US warplanes usually fly fighter and bombing missions while the British fly reconnaissance missions. The statement said all planes used in the operation, which are based at Incirlik in southern Turkey, returned safely to their base.
Iraq considers patrols of the northern no-fly zone – and of another one in the south of Iraq – a violation of its sovereignty and frequently shoots at the patrols. The zones were set up after the 1991 Gulf War provoked by Iraq’s invasion of neighbouring Kuwait.
The hostilities have been going on for years but are being watched more closely since Washington has vowed to oust Iraqi President Saddam’s Hussein’s regime.
