Iraq Airstrike

The U.S. has routinely bombed sites in northern and southern Iraq since shortly after the 1991 Gulf War as part of a continuing effort to protect pilots who patrol no-fly zones, but the latest is the most extensive strike since February.

About 20 attack jets plus about 30 support aircraft struck a military communications center, a surface-to-air missile launching site and a long-range radar — all elements of Iraq’s integrated air defense network, said Pentagon spokesman Army Lt. Col. Steve Campbell.

“All of these targets were contributing to the effectiveness of 
the Iraqi air defense system,” Campbell said. All allied planes returned safely from Iraqi airspace.

The official Iraqi news agency said the raid killed one person and wounded 11.

“American and British planes of evil have conducted a cowardly operation,” said one air defense spokesman.

The attack comes after increased anti-aircraft activity in the area. On August 3, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld said Iraq had upgraded its air defenses, calling the move unacceptable. 

President Bush has pledged to keep Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s military ambitions in check. On Tuesday Bush said he is briefed on military actions in Iraq, but isn’t directly involved in the decision.

“Our military can make decisions as they see fit to protect our pilots, unless of course it’s close to Baghdad, in which case it requires my approval,” the president said. “The missions that took place were fully in accordance with established allied war plans.” 

Iraq was banned from using all aircraft in the zones set up by Western powers to protect minority Kurds and Shiites from attack.

Saddam Hussein considers the no-fly zones to be illegal and has mounted a sustained effort to shoot down a U.S. or British plane.