Allied planes bombed radar and missile sites in the southern no-fly zone over Iraq on Thursday, targeting President Saddam Hussein’s air defences for the third time this week.
The strike brought to 48 the number of days this year that such bombings were reported by the United States and the United Kingdom coalition, whose mission is to patrol two zones set up to protect Iraqi minorities following the 1991 Gulf War.
Coalition planes targeted precision-guided weapons at a radar site near Al Basrah, 392 kilometres southeast of Baghdad, said a statement from the US Central Command.
At the same time — 0800 GMT — they also launched a strike against a surface-to-air missile site near Tallil, about 260 kilometres southeast of Baghdad, it said. Iraq considers the patrols a violation of its sovereignty and frequently shoots at the planes. In response, coalition pilots try to bomb Iraqi air defences.
According to figures released by the command, that made Thursday the 37th day this year that the US-UK operation retaliated against Iraq in the southern zone, set up to protect Shiite Muslims. There have been 11 such retaliations in the northern zone, set up to protect the Kurdish population.
The hostilities have been going on for years but have taken on new importance since the administration of US President George Bush has vowed to oust Saddam’s regime.
Thursday’s strike came after Iraqis fired anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles at coalition aircraft, the statement said. It follows a strike on Wednesday that the US European Command said targeted two missile launchers that were considered threatening to allies.
Last Thursday Iraqi forces fired on coalition aircraft dropping leaflets in the southern no-fly zone and allies bombed a defence operations center at Tallil in response.
The leaflets were warning Iraqis not to shoot on coalition planes. – Sapa-AP