U.S. military officials say that allied aircraft, engaged in patrols over the no-fly zone in southern Iraq since early morning, attacked targets in Nasiriyah and Basra, south of Baghdad, using precision-guided missiles. These attacks are reported to have targeted Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery in response to the entry of Iraqi military aircraft into the southern skies of the country. Following the Gulf War of 1991, allies declared the northern and southern skies of Iraq as no-fly zones to protect the Kurds and Shiites of Iraq, warning the Iraqi government to refrain from military flights over those areas. The Iraqi Foreign Minister has complained to the United Nations that the repeated airstrikes by the U.S. and Britain in those areas constitute an undeclared war against Iraq.
Allied Aircraft Strike Two Targets in Nasiriyah and Basra - 2002-12-20
Allied aircraft conducted missile strikes on targets in Nasiriyah and Basra in response to Iraqi military aircraft entering the no-fly zone. This action is part of ongoing tensions following the Gulf War, with Iraq protesting to the UN about these strikes. The situation highlights the ongoing military presence and intervention in Iraq by U.S. and allied forces.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Allied aircraft conducted missile strikes on Iraqi military targets in Nasiriyah and Basra after Iraqi aircraft entered a no-fly zone. This action is part of ongoing tensions following the Gulf War.
- The strikes targeted Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery.
- The no-fly zones were established to protect Kurdish and Shiite populations after the Gulf War.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Following the Gulf War, the U.S. and allies established no-fly zones in Iraq to protect vulnerable populations, leading to ongoing military engagements with Iraqi forces.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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