Military Action in Iraq: 1990-2003

2002

Jan. 26, 2003 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target five cable repeater sites that could be used for communications in targeting coalition aircraft. The cable repeater sites were located between Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, and An Nasiriyah, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. EST , and were mounted after Iraqi military aircraft violated the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 25, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British participation, used precision-guided weapons to target an anti-air artillery site near Tallil, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad . The strikes occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. EST.   The coalition executed the strike after Iraqi air defense forces fired anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles at coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 24, 2003 : Coalition forces dropped leaflets at approximately 07:15 a.m. EST over communication facilities near An Najaf , approximately 85 miles east southeast of Baghdad , and Umm Qasr and Al Zubayr, both located on the Al Faw Peninsula, approximately 290 miles southeast of Baghdad . A total of 360,000 leaflets were dropped.

The same day, U.S. aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi air defense command and control communication facility, about 5 miles southeast of Al Haswah. The facility was targeted because its presence was a hostile threat to coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly Zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 23, 2003 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq . Coalition forces dropped leaflets at approximately 12:30 p.m. EST over a communication facility near Al Amarah, approximately 165 miles southeast of Baghdad . The coalition dropped a total of 240,000 leaflets. The leaflets urged Iraqi military not to repair previously bombed communication equipment and facilities that aid in tracking and engaging aircraft enforcing the No-fly zone. This was the sixth leaflet drop over southern Iraq by coalition aircraft in 2003. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 19, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target eight unmanned cable repeater sites that are part of Iraq’s military air defense command and control system. The sites were located between Al Kut, and An Nasiriyah, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad . The strikes occurred at approximately 7:10 a.m. EST. The coalition executed the strike after Iraqi air defense forces fired anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles at aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly zone. The same day other aircraft dropped a total of 360,000 leaflets at approximately 7:16 a.m. EST over Ar Rumaythah, Qawam Al Hamazah, Ash Shahtra, Ar Riffa, Qal’ at Sukkar and Al Majar. The six cities are all located approximately 130 to 225 miles southeast of Baghdad . (CENTCOM)

Jan. 18, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, aircraft dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq . The leaflets were dropped at approximately 3:45 a.m. EST over Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad . The coalition dropped a total of 180,000 leaflets. The leaflets referred Iraqis to radio frequencies where coalition forces are broadcasting information about UN Security Council Resolution 1441, UN weapons inspectors in Iraq , Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s reign and other topics. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 17, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target two cable repeater sites that are part of Iraq’s military air defense command and control system. The sites were located between Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, and An Nasiriyah, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. EST. The coalition executed the strike after Iraqi air defense forces fired anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles at coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 13, 2003 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq . Coalition forces dropped the leaflets at approximately 7:10 a.m. EST over An Najaf , about 85 miles southeast of Baghdad . The coalition dropped a total of 240,000 leaflets over the location. This was the fourteenth leaflet drop over southern Iraq by Coalition aircraft in three months. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 13, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike an Iraqi anti-ship missile launcher near Basrah, approximately 300 miles southeast of Baghdad, at approximately 4:10 a.m. EST. The anti-ship missile launcher was targeted because it was threatening coalition ships operating in the North Arabian Gulf . (CENTCOM)

Jan. 10, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi military air defense command and control site at Tallil, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad, and four cable repeater sites. The strikes occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. EST. The coalition mounted the attack after Iraqi air defense forces fired anti-aircraft artillery at coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 8, 2003 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to attack two Iraqi air defense cable repeater sites in the southern No-fly zone at about 5 a.m. EST. The attack occurred after Iraqi air defense forces fired anti-aircraft artillery at coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly zone, as well as in response to Iraqi military aircraft violating the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 6, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target two Iraqi military mobile radars. The radars were located near Al Amarah, approximately 165 miles southeast of Baghdad . The strikes occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. EST. and came after Iraqi forces moved the radars into the Southern No-Fly Zone. (CENTCOM)
 
Jan. 5, 2003 : The Boston Globe reports that about 100 U.S. Special Forces personnel and 50 CIA officers have been operating throughout Iraq for four months, adding weight to earlier stories reporting a U.S. covert presence.

 
Jan. 4, 2003: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped informational leaflets over the southern Iraqi towns of Al Amarah, about 165 miles southeast of Baghdad, and As Samawah, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad. The drop, totaling 240,000 leaflets, occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. EST. The same day, precision-guided weapons were used to target three Iraqi military air defense cable repeater sites after Iraqi air defense forces fired multiple anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles at coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-Fly Zone. (CENTCOM)

Jan. 2, 2003 : For the twelfth time in three months, U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq . Coalition forces dropped leaflets at approximately 5:15 a.m. EST over Basrah and An Nasiriyah. Basrah is approximately 245 miles southeast of Baghdad , and An Nasiriyah is approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad . The aircraft dropped a total of 480,000 leaflets, directing Iraqis to radio frequencies where coalition forces are broadcasting information, over both locations. The same day, aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target four Iraqi air defense cable repeaters after Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery fired at coalition aircraft in the Southern No-Fly Zone. (CENTCOM)
 
Jan. 1, 2003 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons  to target an Iraqi military air defense radar. The site was located near Al Qurnah, approximately 130 miles southeast of Baghdad . The strike occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m. EST. The U.S. Central Command said the radar was targeted after it was moved into the no-fly zone, thus becoming a threat to U.S. and British aircraft enforcing the zone. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 30, 2002: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target Iraqi military air defense communications facilities and a mobile air defense radar. The coalition struck the communications facilities at approximately 2:30 p.m. EST ; they struck the mobile radar at approximately 3:40 p.m. EST. The communications facilities were targeted after Iraq earlier flew military aircraft into the Southern No-Fly zone. The mobile radar was attacked after Iraqi forces moved it into the Southern No-Fly Zone, as its presence was a direct threat to coalition aircraft and crews. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 29, 2002: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target two Iraqi military radar sites. The sites were located near Ad Diwaniyah, approximately 75 miles south of Baghdad . The strikes occurred at approximately 7:40 a.m. EST. The Coalition mounted the strike after Iraqi forces moved the systems into the Southern No-Fly zone. Its presence was a threat to coalition aircraft. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 28, 2002: Coalition aircraft dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq . U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped leaflets at approximately 8:00 a.m. EST over Al Majar and Qal at Sukkar. Al Majar is approximately 200 miles southeast of Baghdad , and Qal at Sukkar is approximately 130 miles southeast of Baghdad . The coalition dropped a total of 120,000 leaflets over both locations. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 27, 2002: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi military air defense command and control system near Al Kut that supported highly mobile surface-to-air (SAM) missile systems. The strike occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. EST. The coalition executed the strike after Iraqi forces moved the system, a threat to coalition aircraft, into the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 27, 2002: For the tenth time in three months, U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq . Coalition forces dropped leaflets at approximately 6:30 a.m. EST south of Ad Diwaniyah, approximately 75 south of Baghdad , Ar Rumaytha, approximately 200 miles southeast of Baghdad and Qawam Al Hamzah, approximately 240 miles southeast of Baghdad . The coalition dropped a total of 240,000 leaflets over the three locations. (CENTCOM)
 
Dec. 26, 2002 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, use precision-guided weapons to target Iraqi military command and control communication facilities. The facilities were located near Tallil, approximately 175 miles southeast of Baghdad . The strikes occurred at approximately 12:00 a.m. EST. The coalition launched the attack after Iraqi military aircraft violated the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 23, 2002: At approximately 7:30 a.m. (EST), a U.S. RQ-1A Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) reconnaissance aircraft was reported missing in Southern Iraq after being fired upon by Iraqi military aircraft. The Predator was assumed destroyed. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 23, 2002: For the ninth time in three months, U.S. aircraft dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq .  Coalition forces dropped leaflets at approximately 4:30 a.m. EST over Ash Shahtra and Ar Rifa, approximately 140 miles southeast of Baghdad .  The coalition dropped a total of 120,000 leaflets over both locations. (CENTCOM)
 
Dec. 21, 2002 : U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped informational leaflets over southern Iraq .  Coalition forces dropped leaflets over Al Amarah at approximately 4:30 a.m. EST and over As Samawah at approximately 5 a.m. EST. Al Amarah is approximately 165 miles southeast of Baghdad , and As Samawah is approximately 130 miles southeast of Baghdad . The coalition dropped a total of 240,000 leaflets over both locations. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 20, 2002: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target two Iraqi air defense communication facilities. The sites were located near An Nasiriyah and Al Basrah in southern Iraq . The strikes occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. EST. The coalition forces executed the strike after Iraqi military aircraft flew into the Southern No-Fly zone. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 18, 2002: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi military air defense radar site. The site was located south of Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad , and it was struck at approximately 4:30 a.m. EST. The coalition executed the strike after Iraqi forces moved the radar system into the Southern No-Fly Zone. (CENTCOM)

Dec. 16, 2002: U.S. aircraft, with possible British involvement, dropped 480,000 leaflets at about 4 a.m. EST over southern Iraq . Leaflets containing six separate messages were dropped at six locations, including near communications facilities that were damaged or destroyed by coalition aircraft flying Operation Southern Watch missions on Dec. 14. Leaflets dropped at those locations warned Iraqi forces that the coalition has targeted fiber optic cables for destruction and that repairing the facilities would place Iraqi military lives at risk.
Other leaflets:

• referred Iraqis to radio frequencies where they could hear broadcasts by coalition forces providing information;

• warned Iraqi air defenses that targeting coalition aircraft or tracking them with radar could result in coalition air strikes;

• stated that coalition aircraft enforce the no-fly zones to protect the Iraqi people, and that threatening coalition aircraft may result in air strikes.

This was the seventh leaflet drop over southern Iraq over the October-December period. ( U.S. CENTCOM)

Dec. 16: In response to Iraqi SAM artillery fire against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi communication site located south of Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Dec. 15: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi mobile radar and cable repeater sites located near An Nasiriyah, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, and Al Basra, about 245 miles southeast of Baghdad, after Iraqi forces moved the mobile radar south of the 33rd parallel in violation of the southern no-fly zone and targeted coalition aircraft with SAM artillery fire. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Dec. 14: In response to violation of the southern no-fly zone by Iraqi military aircraft, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target multiple Iraqi military air defense communications facilities located near Al Kut; Aal’at Sukkar, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad; and Al Amarah, about 165 miles southeast of Baghdad. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Dec. 10: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system located south of Al Amarah after Iraqi forces moved the SAM system south of the 33rd parallel in violation of the established southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Dec. 7: The Iraqi government delivered a declaration approximately 12,000 pages long to the United Nations today in compliance with the Dec.18 deadline set by the UN Resolution 1441. According to Iraqi officials, the documents contain full and complete details about Iraq’s chemical, biological and nuclear programs while maintaining that the country harbors no weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In so doing, Iraq has passed up a final opportunity to acknowledge any WMD it may have, and so, protect itself against evidence UN inspectors may uncover. The declaration mainly focuses on accounting for civilian facilities and equipment that could be used to make weapons. (The Washington Post)

Dec. 2: In what looks like further preparation for a possible war with Iraq, the United States is installing a command center at As Sayliyah base in Qatar for the official purpose of conducting a major military exercise called Internal Look in December. The exercise will involve the same command and control procedures that would be used in a war with Iraq. This will mark the first time the U.S. military has conducted a war game of this type outside of the United States. The As Sayliyah base covers 262 acres and cost more than $100 million to build. It can store hundreds of M1 tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and other armored vehicles and is capable of housing enough armored equipment for a heavy Army brigade. The base currently houses about 300 American troops. Many weapons continue to be shipped from As Sayliyah to Kuwait. Given the base’s existing capabilities, the new command center at As Sayliyah may lead to the establishment of a future U.S. military headquarters there. (The New York Times)

Dec. 1: In response to Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery fire against coalition aircraft in the northern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target Iraqi air defense facilities located between Tallil, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad, and Al Basrah, about 240 miles southeast of Baghdad. Thirteen coalition aircraft dropped 23 precision-guided weapons, marking one the biggest coalition strikes this year. This also marks the first time that U.S. military officials cited an incident in the north as the reason for a military response in the south since the no-fly zones were established 10 years ago, signaling an escalation in the U.S. response to Iraq and increasing pressure for Iraq to disarm. This incident also reflects that the U.S. military can more freely carry out retaliatory attacks in the southern no-fly zone than in the northern no-fly zone due to Turkey’s close involvement with operations in the north. Turkey is more sensitive about which targets get hit by coalition aircraft than are the countries that facilitate coalition operations in the south. An Iraqi military spokesman claims that the coalition warplanes targeted a state-run Southern Oil Company on the outskirts of Al Basrah, and that four people were killed and 27 were injured in the attack. He also said that coalition aircraft attacked two other civilian targets in the south and that Iraqi defenses had fired in response. An oil company official identified the casualties as company employers and passers-by. (U.S. CENTCOM, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Washington Post)

Nov. 23: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target a mobile radar system located south of Al Amarah after Iraq moved the mobile radar south of the 33rd parallel in violation of the established southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov. 22: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target unmanned communications facilities south of Al Amarah, about 165 miles south of Baghdad, after an Iraqi military jet violated the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov. 21: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an Iraqi air defense radar site near Ash Shuaybah, about 245 miles southeast of Baghdad, after Iraq moved the radar south of the 33rd parallel in violation of the established southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

In response to the movement of an air defense radar site south of the 33rd parallel by Iraq in violation of the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target the radar site near Tallil. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov. 20: In response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target three unmanned air defense communications facilities located between Al Basrah, about 245 miles southeast of Baghdad, and Al Kut. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov. 18: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target two air defense communications facilities and one air defense radar facility. The radar facility and one communication facility were located near Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. The other air defense facility was located near Tallil, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Several hundred Marines based in Camp Pendleton were dispatched to the Middle East to join the central command area of operations. The units included many battle planners and senior staff officers. Some of the troops will participate in military exercises in Kuwait to test the military's capability to assemble and deploy forces over long distances. According to Camp Pendleton Capt. David Romley, "Units from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force are departing to support Operation Enduring Freedom." Another several hundred Marines left San Diego for the Gulf region around the same time. (Orange County Register)

Nov. 17: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an air defense system northeast of Mosul in response to Iraqi fire targeting coalition aircraft monitoring the northern no-fly zone. According to an Iraqi military spokesman, coalition aircraft bombed civilian targets near Mosul. (The Washington Post)

Nov. 15: In response Iraqi antiaircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missiles targeting coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an air defense communications facility near An Najaf, about 85 miles southeast of Baghdad. This marks the first exchange of fire between Iraqi and coalition forces since UN Resolution 1441; although the Bush administration says that the incident puts Iraq in 'material breach' of the resolution, it is improbable that it will trigger a U.S.-led attack on Iraq. (U.S. CENTCOM, Los Angeles Times)

Nov. 13: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein announces that Iraq will "deal with" UN Resolution 1441, according to which he will have to allow UN inspectors to search for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and production facilities for such weapons. (Los Angeles Times, CBSNews.com)

Nov. 10: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target two SAM sites near Tallil that were relocated into the southern no-fly zone by Iraq in violation of UN resolutions the sites were perceived as a threat for aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov 8: The UN Security Council unanimously passes the tough Resolution 1441 on Iraq calling for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to disband all Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programs or face 'serious consequences'. Through the new resolution, inspectors have the authority to demand "immediate, unimpeded, unconditional, and unrestricted access" to all sites, including presidential palaces. (The Washington Post)

Nov. 7: In response to hostile fire from Iraqi SAMs and anti-aircraft artillery against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an air defense operations facility and integrated operations center near Al Kut. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov. 6: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target two surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs) near Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, and a control communications facility near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Nov. 4: Kuwait offers the use of its military bases to American forces in the case of a UN-backed attack on Iraq. Kuwaiti forces, however, would not be involved in such an attack. (Washington Times)

Oct. 26: A solicitation is posted for a U.S. or foreign-flag self sustaining container vessel to transport dry cargo consisting of approximately 550 TEUs of ammunition from the U.S. East Coast to four ports located in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. (Military Sealift Command via www.eps.gov)

Oct. 25: According to a Croatian police source, there is evidence that a seized ship leaving Yugoslavia was heading to Iraq loaded with military equipment. The ship was seized this week in the port of Rijeka on Croatia's Adriatic Coast with the help of the United States and NATO allies. The ship was apparently carrying material used in the ignition of Scud missiles. (The Associated Press)

Oct. 24: According to top military officers, the U.S. Air Force has begun using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) called Predators to strike targets in southern Iraq. Predators are able to hover for 24 hours over a target, record high-resolution images and communicate them to command centers in real-time, and are armed with Hellfire missiles. Predators have been helping to monitor the southern no-fly zone in conjunction with other coalition aircraft for about a month, but usually unarmed and strictly for performing surveillance. Now, Predators identify the source of surface-to-air and anti-aircraft artillery fire in the no-fly zone and respond by launching Hellfire missiles at the targets. (The Washington Post)

Oct. 22: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an air defense communications facility near Al Jarrah, about 90 miles southeast of Baghdad, and an air defense operations center near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to Iraqi antiaircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile fire against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM, The Washington Post)

Northeast of Mosul, about 250 miles north of Baghdad, coalition aircraft targeted other elements of the air defense system after being targeted by Iraqi fire, according to the U.S. European Command. (The Washington Post)

The first of two large Military Sealift Command ships was loaded with cargo at the Army dock of the Charleston Naval Weapons Station. The 841st Transportation Battalion supervised the loading of 2,000 pieces of cargo, mostly fuel trucks and engineering equipment. Command spokesman Frank Randall said, "This is surge sealift, in response to a specific requirement. It is mostly Army Reserve equipment and part of the war on terrorism, but I can't say if it has anything to do with Iraq." The ships, both Large, Medium Speed, Roll-on roll-off vessels (LMSRs), are bound for the Middle East to support U.S. CENTCOM activities, although the precise destination of the ships has not been released. The first ship, the Bob Hope, has been loaded with 8,300 metric tons worth of equipment. The second ship, the Fisher, is scheduled to be loaded with 6,600 metric tons in the next few days. (The Baltimore Sun)

Oct. 21: According to Iraqi opposition officials, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) established two formal field offices in Kurdish-controlled territory protected by coalition aircraft, marking the first time the CIA has had a permanent base in northern Iraq since 1996. One office is in Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) controlled territory, another is in Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) controlled territory. (The Washington Times)

Oct. 16: Saddam Hussein wins re-election by a reported 11 million-to-0 margin in a one-man, yes or no referendum, further extending his two-decade rule. (CNN)

Oct. 15: In response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a command and control communications facility near Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Oct. 11: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a mobile SAM site near Tallil in response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM, The Los Angeles Times)

The U.S. Army’s V Corps and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force have orders from the Pentagon to deploy headquarters staff to Kuwait. According to defense officials, this is the first non-routine dispatch of conventional ground forces to the Persian Gulf and is part of preparations for possible military action against Iraq. (The Washington Post)

Commercial bids on two large merchant ships are being sought by the Navy, according to the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. One ship will be scheduled to load in California in mid-October, and the other will come from ports in Belgium and Italy concurrently. According to the U.S. military, this now brings to six the total number of large cargo ships chartered in support of military exercises in Kuwait and Jordan by the Navy since August.

Oct. 10: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) site near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM, The Washington Post)

At the same time as the Tallil strike, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike an air defense radar system near Basra, about 245 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to Iraqi hostile SAM and anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire. According to the Iraqi News Agency, the radar system was destroyed and passenger and service buildings at the Basra airport were damaged. (U.S. CENTCOM, The Washington Post)

Oct. 7: U.S. President George W. Bush delivers a speech at the Cincinnati Museum Center outlining the case for possible military action against Iraq. Bush stresses that the threat from Iraq stands alone because it gathers the most serious dangers - a tyrant with a history of aggression and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) - in one place. He uses many of the same arguments posed during his speech to the United Nations on Sept. 12, 2002, notably citing new evidence to link al Qaeda with the Iraqi regime, and satellite photographs proving that Iraq is rebuilding nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) production facilities anew. Bush says that Iraq can avoid conflict if it adheres to UN resolutions.

Oct. 3: President George W. Bush signed a National Security Presidential Directive authorizing U.S. combat training for Iraqi opposition fighters, allocating $92 million in Defense Department funds to the effort and marking a break from the 1998 directive signed by former President Bill Clinton restricting expenditures to non-lethal instruction. About 5,000 recruits have been identified for an initial training program scheduled to begin next month, the force they will form is expected to eventually number about 10,000. The Iraqis will be instructed in basic combat and special skills to serve as battlefield advisers, scouts and interpreters in support of U.S. ground troops in the event of an invasion. Later phases of the program will include training Iraqis as forward spotters for laser-guided bombs and as military police to run prisoner of war camps inside Iraq. Many of the names of recruits were part of a list of exiles provided by the Iraqi National Congress (INC) in London. The recruits will be trained outside of the United States and not in the Middle East. The move indicates further preparation for a possible attack on Iraq. (The Washington Post)

Oct. 3: In response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft struck an Iraqi air defense sector headquarters and integrated operations center with precision-guided weapons near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Oct. 1: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a mobile radar in Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, after Iraq placed the mobile radar past the 33rd parallel in the southern no-fly zone, and Iraqi aircraft penetrated the restricted area. (Los Angeles Times, U.S. CENTCOM)

Sept. 28: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a military mobile radar near Al Basrah, and a SAM site near Qalat Sikur, in response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone at approximately 5:00 p.m. EDT. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Sept. 27: In response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a SAM control radar and a SAM launcher near Tallil, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad, and an air defense operations center near Al Amarah, about 165 miles southeast of Baghdad, at approximately 4:30 p.m. EDT. (U.S. CENTCOM)

Sept. 26: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike two Iraqi surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites near Qalat Sikur, about 130 miles southeast of Baghdad, and in Tallil, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad at 3:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT, respectively. The strikes were in response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. (U.S. CENTCOM)

British and U.S. aircraft used precision munitions to strike an Iraqi air defense communications facility near Al Amrah, about 200 miles south of Baghdad, in the southern no-fly zone. (The Associated Press)

Sept. 25: Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike Iraqi air defense facilities near Al Kufa, about 80 miles south of Baghdad, and Al Basrah at approximately 4:45 p.m. EDT. The strikes were in response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. According to the official Iraqi News Agency, Iraqi government officials said that the targets hit were civilian and service installations. They also claimed that civilians were injured at Al Basrah. A U.S. government official produced a classified photograph that showed the targets hit were remote from any houses, stores or major roads, and that although two precision-guided missiles went astray, they hit only empty desert. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld accused Iraq of "lying to inflame the public opinion against the United States." Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that radar targets hit at Al Basrah were in a stretch of desert beyond the military side of the dual-use civilian military airport located there. Rumsfeld emphasized that "the only reason anybody would be out in this vicinity of this particular radar at any time of day would be to actually be functioning as part of the radar team." (U.S. CENTCOM, The New York Times)

Sept. 24: In response to Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike an Iraqi radar facility near Al Amarah, about 165 miles southeast of Baghdad, and a defense communications facility in Tallil, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad at approximately 2:15 p.m. EDT. According to an Iraqi military spokesman, coalition aircraft violated Iraqi airspace at about 9:30 p.m. local time flying in from Kuwait, and "attacked… civilian and service installations in Dhi qar and Meisan provinces, hurting one civilian." The spokesman said that coalition aircraft returned to their bases after being fired upon by Iraqi ground air defenses. (U.S. CENTCOM, The Washington Post)

Sept. 20: Hussein announces that Iraq "is clear of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons." He appealed to the United Nations to resist the Bush administration's call for support for a military strike against the Iraqi government. Hussein also stated that Baghdad is "ready to cooperate with the Security Council" regarding renewed UN weapons inspections, and demanded that the United Nations lift sanctions on Iraq and force Israel to eliminate all its weapons of mass destruction according to UN resolutions calling for the removal of all such weapons from the Middle East.

Sept. 16: Iraq's foreign minister announced that UN weapons inspections would resume in Iraq "without conditions." UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called the Iraqi move an "indispensable first step towards an assurance that Iraq no longer possesses weapons of mass destruction." The White House, however, emphasized that inspections are not enough, and that the goal should be to disarm Iraq and ensure that it complies with all UN resolutions. U.S. officials are concerned that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will attempt to dupe inspectors as he has in the past, and is only allowing the inspections in order to weaken U.S. efforts to build an international coalition for action against Iraq. The Bush administration plans to continue to press for a new UN resolution that will state that Iraq is in violation of existing UN resolutions, outline what Iraq must do and make clear the consequences should Iraq fails to comply. (The Washington Post)

The Pentagon asks Britain for permission to build special shelters on its air base on the Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean for as many as six B-2 bombers. Should Britain agree, it would mark the first time B-2 stealth bombers have been based overseas for a combat mission, said a defense official. It would also mark a significant escalation in preparations for possible U.S. military action against Iraq. "Even a small number of B-2s can wipe out Iraqi air defenses in a few days and clear the skies for coalition air power to take out Iraqi targets," said Daniel Goure, a Lexington Institute senior analyst. According to defense officials, the U.S. has also been transferring munitions to warehouses in Diego Garcia and Qatar from the United States. (The Wall Street Journal)

U.S. officials admit that U.S. and British aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones in Iraq have adopted new tactics designed to cause increased and more lasting damage to Iraqi air defenses. These new tactics include more emphasis on strikes on buildings — especially command and communication links in Iraq's air defense system — and other fixed targets rather than mobile targets such as radars and surface-to-air launchers. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ordered the change last month because U.S. and British aircraft were coming under more effective Iraqi fire. British officials have confirmed that RAF Tornado GR.4s will be equipped with stand-off cruise missiles in the next few months when patrolling no-fly zones. (The London Telegraph)

Sept. 15: At 9:35 a.m. local time, American and British aircraft violated Iraqi airspace "flying from bases in Kuwait and carrying out 38 sorties," according to an Iraqi military spokesman. The spokesman said that coalition aircraft attacked civilian and service installations in the Dhi-Qar province, about 230 miles south of Baghdad, and retreated after meeting with Iraqi air defense fire. According to U.S. CENTCOM, the air strikes were carried out in response to recent Iraqi hostile acts. CENTCOM also confirmed that U.S. and British aircraft struck an air defense communications facility near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. (The Washington Post)

Sept. 12: U.S. President George W. Bush delivers his speech to the United Nations making a case for action against Iraq. Sept. 11 reports on moving CENTCOM headquarters are clarified; the HQ will shift to Qatar in November for the period of a week-long exercise.

Sept. 11: U.S. military sources reveal that U.S. Central Command headquarters will be moved from Tampa, Fla., to Al Udeid Air Base near Doha, the capital of Qatar. Gen. Tommy R. Franks, the commander in chief, did not confirm this, but he did admit that shifting some operations and personnel to Qatar permanently is under consideration. This move would signify an escalation in preparations for possible military action against Iraq, and the emergence of Qatar as a key strategic U.S. ally in the region.

Sept. 9: 1:30 a.m. EST. Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike an air defense command and control facility in southern Iraq, near Al Amarah, about 170 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone.

Sept. 7: 12:45 p.m. GMT. U.S. Air Force aircraft attacked an Iraqi Silkworm anti-ship missile site in southern Iraq, near Basra, in response to attempts by the radar of an Iraqi Silkworm missile to lock on to a U.S. ship transferring arms and equipment from its al-Udeid base in Qatar to Kuwait. This attack marks an apparent escalation of operations over the no-fly zones--previously coalition forces have concentrated fire on air defense sites directly threatening their aircraft. The Chinese-made Silkworm surface-to-air anti-ship missile has a range of 59 miles, which would allow it to hit any ship preparing to dock in Kuwait.

4:15 a.m. EDT. In response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a military communications facility in southern Iraq, near Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad.

Sept. 6: 5:45 p.m. EDT. Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a ground-launched anti-ship missile in southern Iraq, near Al Basrah, about 245 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to recent Iraqi hostile threats against coalition ships in the Arabian Gulf.

Sept. 5: American and British aircraft participated in an attack on Iraq's major western air defense installation at the H3 airfield, about 240 miles west of Baghdad, close to Jordan. According to the Pentagon, the strike was a response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. Marine Corps Lt. Col. David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, said that the raid involved 24 aircraft, including 12 that dropped about 20 bombs. Lapan also stated that there have been three other strikes carried out this year that used 24 total aircraft. The London Daily Telegraph reported that up to 100 aircraft were involved in this strike. If correct, this would be an unusually large strike; U.S. officials refused to confirm that 100 aircraft took part, and later on, the British RAF tried to dispel that impression, saying there had been a mistake. Reportedly, this is the biggest single operation over the country for four years. The raid seemed designed to destroy air defenses to allow easy access for Special Forces helicopters to fly into Iraq via Jordan or Saudi Arabia to hunt down Scud missiles before a possible war.

Sept. 4: Reports surface that a large civilian cargo ship to carry tanks and heavy armor to the Persian Gulf has been contracted by the U.S. Navy. It is chartered by the U.S. Military Sealift Command to arrive in the Persian Gulf in late September. This marks the third shipment in a month. The ship will originate from a port on the southeastern coast of the United States. According to the formal tender document, the ship will carry 67 units of track general cargo, containerized cargo and rolling stock in measurements that match those of the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank.

Sept. 3: Reports in The Wall Street Journal indicate that U.S. pre-positioned equipment in Qatar has been moved to Kuwait, bringing the total of equipment in the emirate to levels capable of equipping two heavy brigades.

Aug. 30: U.S. and British fighters attacked a major Iraq army intelligence and air-defense installation in southern Iraq, in Ashar, south of Basra, according to Iraqi opposition sources. Four air-to-ground missiles struck the facility. A later attack on Tuesday destroyed a radar site in the north according to Iraqi opposition sources. The hit facility was headquarters to Iraqi Army intelligence in the southern region and was also the site of advanced radar and surveillance equipment used to monitor ground and air traffic in Iran.

2:30 a.m. EDT. Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a surface-to-air missile site in southern Iraq, near Al Kut, about 150 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone.

Aug. 29: 3:45 p.m. EDT. Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike a military radar system in southern Iraq, near Al Kut, about 150 miles southeast of Baghdad, in response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone.

Aug. 27: 2:30 a.m. EDT. In response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike an air defense command and control facility near An Nukhayb in southern Iraq.

Aug. 26: U.S. CENTCOM stated that, "coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike two air defense radar systems near Al Basrah" in southern Iraq, in response to hostile acts by Iraq. According to the official Iraqi News Agency, U.S. and British planes attacked "civilian and service installations in Basrah province". Eight people were killed and nine were injured in "35 sorties" flown from "air bases in Kuwait" according to the Iraqi News Agency. A British Defense Ministry spokesman would not say if British aircraft, U.S. aircraft or both were involved in the strikes.

Allied warplanes hit an Iraqi radar guidance facility in northern Iraq after "an Iraqi missile guidance radar system in an area near Irbil targeted coalition aircraft while they were conducting routing enforcement of the northern no-fly zone," according to U.S. defense officials.

Aug. 25: 2:30 a.m. EDT. In response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to strike two air defense radar systems near Al Basrah in southern Iraq.

Aug. 23: U.S. warplanes bombed an air defense site in northern Iraq, near Irbil, after being targeted by an Iraqi missile guidance radar system, according to the U.S. military. In Baghdad, an unidentified Iraqi military spokesman said Iraqi antiaircraft and missile units fired at enemy warplanes, forcing them to leave Iraqi skies, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

Aug. 22: U.S. CENTCOM stated that U.S. aircraft attacked air defense and command and control facilities in the Missan province in southern Iraq "in response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone." According to the Iraqi Air Force Command, three civilians were killed.

Aug. 21: Second tour is given to journalists in August by Iraqi officials of a site that U.S. officials suspect may be a biological weapons facility. (The Washington Post, Aug. 21, 2002, p. A18)

Aug. 20: 1:40 a.m. EDT. In response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons to target an air defense command and control facility in southern Iraq, Al Amarah, about 120 miles southeast of Baghdad.

Aug. 17: 6:30 a.m. EDT. The Pentagon stated that British and U.S. fighter jets used precision-guided weapons to target a mobile radar unit in southern Iraq's no-fly zone in response to recent hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone. Iraq claims the strikes hit civilian and public buildings. Earlier in the week, Britain confirmed that coalition plans attacks targets in the same region.

Aug. 14: 5:00 p.m. EDT. U.S. CENTCOM said that aircraft from the U.S. and British coalition attacked two Iraqi air defense sites in southern Iraq with precision-guided weapons as a response to Iraqi actions that threatened the coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone.

Aug. 13: An announcement is made that two shiploads of military equipment are to be moved into the Persian Gulf.

Aug. 12: Reports appear of U.S. troops buildup at airbases on the Jordanian/Iraqi border.

June 26: Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery from a site north of Ayn Zalah while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping precision guided ordnance on an element of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

June 19: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites in the vicinity of Saddam dam while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping precision guided ordnance on an element of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

May 28: Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery from a site in the vicinity of Saddam dam while ONW aircraft conducted routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attack by dropping precision guided ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

May 1: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites in the vicinity of Saddam dam around 3:20 p.m. local time while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping precision guided ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

Apr. 19: Iraqi air defense radar actively target coalition aircraft from locations east of Mosul while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by firing precision ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

March 29: Reports say that reallocation of forces in Afghanistan leaves key U.S. unit, 5th Special Forces Group, available for Iraq buildup.

Feb. 28: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites north of Mosul at U.S. aircraft conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond in self defense to the Iraqi attacks by dropping precision munitions on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system. All coalition aircraft depart the area safely.

Feb. 4: Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery from sites northeast of Mosul while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping precision ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system. All coalition aircraft depart the area safely.

 
2001

Nov. 27: (between Nov. 26 and Nov. 28, exact date unknown) Coalition aircraft use precision-guided weapons to strike a command and control facility within the southern no-fly zone in response to Iraqi threats against coalition planes.

Oct. 13: Coalition aircraft fire precision-guided munitions at a command and control facility within the southern no-fly zone.

Oct. 10: A U.S. Air Force RQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle is reported missing during a monitoring mission of the southern no-fly zone.

Oct. 2: U.S. aircraft attack anti-aircraft gun sites in the southern no-fly zone using precision-guided weapons, in response to Iraqi threats against aircraft monitoring the zone. A day later, two more anti-aircraft gun sites are struck.

Sept. 27: Coalition aircraft attack anti-aircraft guns and command and control vehicles and equipment in open fields in the southern no-fly zone following Iraqi threats to aircraft monitoring the zone.

Sept. 20: Coalition aircraft strike anti-aircraft guns in the southern no-fly zone following Iraqi threats against earlier coalition patrols. A day later, further attacks are launched upon command and control vehicles and equipment in the southern no-fly zone.

Sept. 18: U.S. aircraft attack anti-aircraft gun sites in the southern no-fly zone using precision-guided weapons.

Sept. 11: A Predator unmanned aerial vehicle is lost in the course of a surveillance mission monitoring the southern no-fly zone.

Sept. 9: Coalition aircraft attack SAM sites in the southern no-fly zone in response to Iraqi hostile actions against coalition aircraft monitoring the zone.

Sept. 4: Iraqi anti-aircraft guns north of Mosul fire at coalition aircraft conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft are also targeted by Iraqi radar. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by delivering munitions on parts of the Iraqi air defense system. In the southern no-fly zone, precision-guided weapons are used to attack anti-aircraft gun and SAM sites.

Aug. 28: Coalition aircraft use precision-guided weapons to attack command and control facilities in the southern no-fly zone. Two days later, a military radar site is struck.

Aug. 27: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft guns from sites north of Mosul while coalition aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system. In the southern no-fly zone, an unarmed U.S. Air Force Predator unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring the zone is reported missing, possibly crashed or shot down.

Aug. 25: Coalition aircraft fire precision-guided munitions at a mobile early warning radar in the southern no-fly zone in response to Iraqi threats against coalition aircraft.

Aug. 17: Iraqi forces threaten coalition aircraft by firing anti-aircraft artillery from sites north of Mosul. Coalition aircraft are also targeted by Iraqi radar while conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond in self defense to the Iraqi attacks by delivering ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

Aug. 14: In response to Iraqi threats to coalition aircraft in the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft strike a SAM site.

Aug. 10: Coalition aircraft bomb three communications, radar and missile sites in the southern no-fly zone after Iraq increases efforts to shoot down allied pilots.

Aug. 7: Iraqi forces launch SAM and fired anti-aircraft artillery from sites north of Mosul while coalition aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

July 18: A U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon crash at about 10:14 a.m. Turkish local time near Batman, Turkey. The F-16's home base was Aviano Air Base, in Italy. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying over Turkey en route to a mission enforcing the northern no-fly zone over Iraq. The piloted ejected and was uninjured.

July 17: U.S. aircraft attack anti-aircraft gun sites in the southern no-fly zone using precision-guided weapons.

July 7: U.S. aircraft attack anti-aircraft gun sites in the southern no-fly zone using precision-guided weapons.

June 25: U.S. aircraft attack anti-aircraft gun sites in the southern no-fly zone. The following day, another anti-aircraft gun site is struck.

June 14: Coalition aircraft are targeted by Iraqi missile guidance radar systems from sites north of Mosul while conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Iraqi gunners later attack aircraft with anti-aircraft artillery fire. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system. The same day, aircraft enforcing the southern no-fly zone attack a radar site.

June 5: Coalition aircraft attack an anti-aircraft gun site in the southern no-fly zone. The next day, a radar site also in the southern no-fly zone is struck.

May 23: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites north and west of Mosul while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft are also targeted by Iraqi radar. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

May 18: U.S. and British warplanes attack an air defense installation 180 miles southeast of Baghdad to counter Iraqi firings of SAM and anti-aircraft artillery in the southern no-fly zone.

April 30: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites northwest of Mosul while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

April 20: Coalition aircraft strike a mobile early warning radar in the southern no-fly zone using precision-guided weapons in response to hostile Iraqi acts against coalition aircraft.

April 19: U.S. warplanes bomb a mobile early warning radar in southern Iraq in response to Iraq's aggressive action against U.S. and British planes monitoring a no-fly zone over southern Iraq.

April 12: Responding to Iraqi anti-aircraft fire, U.S. aircraft launch precision-guided weapons on an anti-aircraft gun site in the southern no-fly zone.

Apr. 6: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites north of Mosul while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by bombing Iraqi air defense installations.

March 30: Responding to Iraqi anti-aircraft fire, U.S. aircraft launch precision-guided weapons on an anti-aircraft gun site in the southern no-fly zone.

Feb. 22: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft guns from sites north of Mosul while coalition aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft are also targeted by Iraqi radar from sites southeast of Mosul. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

Feb. 16: Following Iraqi SAM and anti-aircraft gun fire on U.S. aircraft enforcing the southern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft strike air defense targets.

Feb. 13: U.S. aircraft strike Iraqi SAM sites in the southern no-fly zone "following recent Iraqi violations of UN Security Council resolutions."

Feb. 12: Iraqi forces fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites north of Mosul while coalition aircraft conducted routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. The aircraft responded to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

Feb. 11: U.S. aircraft strike anti-aircraft guns in the southern no-fly zone in response to anti-aircraft fire.

Jan. 28: U.S. aircraft strike Iraqi SAM sites in the southern no-fly zone "following recent Iraqi violations of UN Security Council resolutions."

Jan. 24: Iraqi forces launch SAM and fire anti-aircraft artillery from sites north of Mosul while ONW aircraft conduct routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. Coalition aircraft respond to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system.

Jan. 20: U.S. aircraft launch attacks on radar systems and anti-aircraft guns in the southern no-fly zone. All coalition aircraft depart the area safely.

Jan. 16: U.S. and British aircraft launch attacks on five air defense sites both in the southern no-fly zone and in the central area of Iraq. Some two dozen aircraft participate in the first major military action ordered by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, Jr.

Jan. 1: U.S. aircraft launch two attacks on Iraqi radar sites in the southern no-fly zone.

 
2000

May 22: As of this date, there had been more than 470 separate incidents of Iraqi SAM and anti-aircraft artillery fire directed against coalition pilots since December 1998. Iraqi aircraft violated the southern no-fly zone more than 150 times during the same period.

April 4: Coalition aircraft target four Iraqi military sites with precision-guided munitions, including a military radar site at Nasiriyah, 17 miles southeast of Baghdad. Iraq says two people were killed in U.S.-British air raid in the south.

Jan. 9: As of this date, there had been more than 420 separate incidents of Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery and SAM fire directed at coalition pilots since December 1998. Iraqi aircraft violated the southern no-fly zone more than 140 times since Operation Desert Fox.

 
1999

Dec. 17: The UNSC adopts Resolution 1284 replacing UNSCOM by the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC).

Nov. 22: Navy fighters fire missiles at a SAM site after Iraqi anti-aircraft guns fired at a coalition aircraft. The site was located near the city of an-Najaf, about 85 miles south of Baghdad.

Feb. 24: U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft attack two Iraqi SAM sites near Al Iskandariyah, some 30 miles south of Baghdad, in response to anti-aircraft artillery fire and an Iraqi aircraft violation of southern no-fly zone.

Feb. 10: U.S. and British warplanes fire at two air defense sites in Iraq after three waves of Iraqi fighter jets violate the southern no-fly zone.

Jan. 12: Five Iraqi jets violate the southern no-fly zone and two enter the north, bringing the total violations in both zones since Desert Fox to more than 70, Pentagon officials say.

Jan. 5: In two separate incidents, two F-15s and two F-14s fire a total of six missiles at four Iraqi MiG-25s over the southern no-fly zone. None of the missiles finds its target.

 
1998

Dec. 30: An SA-6 site near Talil fires 6-8 missiles at a Southern Watch aircraft. F-16s retaliate by dropping six GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on the site. They also launch two HARMs "as a preemptive measure" to deter Iraqi radar operators.

Dec. 17: The United States and Britain launch Operation Desert Fox, four nights of strikes against targets throughout Iraq.

Dec. 16: All UNSCOM weapons inspectors are withdrawn for the last time, after Iraqi non-cooperation with their efforts.

Nov. 15: U.S. aborts airstrikes on Iraq as the regime promises cooperation with the UNSCOM weapons inspectors.

Nov. 7: Fifteen UN weapons inspectors are withdrawn from Iraq.

Nov. 1: Iraq halts all cooperation with UNSCOM weapons inspectors.

 
1997

Nov. 20: Following intensive diplomatic activity, an agreement is reached between Iraq and the Russian Federation whereby Iraq accepts the return of the commission with its full complement of staff to resume its work in Iraq. The commission's personnel, who had been temporarily withdrawn to Bahrain, return to Iraq on Nov. 21 and resume their inspection activities the following day.

Nov. 13: Iraq requires the personnel of American nationality working for UNSCOM to leave Iraq immediately. The executive chairman decides the majority of UNSCOM's personnel should withdraw temporarily from Iraq. A skeleton staff remains in Baghdad to maintain UNSCOM's premises and equipment.

Sept. 17: While seeking access to a site for inspection declared by Iraq to be "sensitive," UNSCOM inspectors witness and videotape the movement of files, the burning of documents and dumping of ash-filled waste cans into a nearby river.

January: The United Nations implements the oil-for-food program, which will permit Iraq to sell oil and direct the funds made toward humanitarian aims.

Jan. 1: The Turkish government approves a continuing air operation from Turkey, and Operation Northern Watch commences.

 
1996

Dec. 31: Operation Provide Comfort officially ends.

Nov. 4: A Southern Watch F-16CJ fires a HARM missile at an Iraqi mobile missile radar near the 32nd parallel after the pilot received radar warning signals.

Nov. 2: A Southern Watch F-16CJ fires a HARM missile at an Iraqi mobile missile radar near the 32nd parallel after the pilot received radar warning signals. Later analysis indicates that the Iraqi radar had not tracked the aircraft, a conclusion reversed on Nov. 4 after further study by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Aug. 31: Iraqi troops enter Irbil in alliance with Kurdish Democratic Party. They withdraw days later.

Sept. 11: Iraqi gunners fire an SA-6 missile at two U.S. F-16s over northern Iraq but miss. A fighter and helicopter briefly violate the southern no-fly zone.

Sept. 3: U.S. President Bill Clinton extends the southern no-fly zone to 33rd parallel.

 
1995

November 1995: The government of Jordan intercepts a large shipment of high-grade missile components destined for Iraq. Iraq denies that it had sought to purchase these components, although it acknowledged that some of them were in Iraq. UNSCOM conducts an investigation, which confirms that Iraqi authorities and missile facilities have been involved in the acquisition of sophisticated guidance and control components for proscribed missiles. UNSCOM retrieves additional similar missile components from the River Tigris. The components had been allegedly disposed of there by Iraqis involved in the covert acquisition.

Aug. 8: Gen. Hussein Kamel, minister of Industry and Minerals and former director of Iraq's Military Industrialization Corporation, with responsibility for all of Iraq's weapons programs, leaves Iraq for Jordan. Iraq claims that Kamel had hidden from UNSCOM and the IAEA important information on the prohibited weapons programs. Iraq withdraws its third biological Full, Final and Complete Disclosure and admits a far more extensive biological warfare program than previously admitted, including weaponization. Iraq also admits having achieved greater progress in its efforts to indigenously produce long-range missiles than had previously been declared. Iraq provides UNSCOM and the IAEA with large amounts of documentation hidden on a chicken farm, ostensibly by Kamel, related to its prohibited weapons programs. The documentations subsequently lead to further Iraqi disclosures concerning the production of the nerve agent VX and Iraq's development of a nuclear weapon.

July 1: As a result of UNSCOM's investigations and in the light of irrefutable evidence, Iraq admits for the first time the existence of an offensive biological weapons program but denies weaponization.

 
1994

Oct. 15: The UNSC adopts Resolution 949, which demands that Iraq "cooperate fully" with UNSCOM and that it withdraw all military units deployed to southern Iraq to their original positions. Iraq resumes working with UNSCOM.

Oct. 14: Iraq announces that as of Oct. 12 it had withdrawn its troops to their previous positions.

Oct. 8: UNSC meeting expresses "grave concern" over deployment of Iraqi troops near the Kuwait border. In the next two days, United States begins deploying troops to Kuwait.

Oct. 6: Iraq threatens to cease cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA, and moves troops toward the border with Kuwait.

Iraq does not attempt to challenge coalition aircraft in the no-fly zones during the first nine months of 1994.

 
1993

Dec. 21: Iraqi troops fire on a U.S. patrol near Faydah in northern Iraq. The patrol is within the security zone established on May 22, 1991. The Iraqis were over a mile away and outside the security zone. Baghdad denies Western reports of the incident as "fabricated and baseless."

Aug. 19: Two U.S. F-16s report possible SA-3 missile launches west of Mosul and respond with cluster bombs. Two F-15s drop four laser-guided bombs on the site an hour later.

July 29: In separate incidents, two U.S. Navy EA-6Bs, part of Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, fire anti-radar missiles at Iraqi SAM sites after being illuminated by the sites' surveillance radars.

June 29: A Southern Watch F-4G fires an anti-radar missile at an anti-aircraft artillery site after the Iraqis illuminated it and another F-4G patrolling the southern no-fly zone.

June 27: U.S. missile strike is launched against Baghdad on basis of "compelling evidence" that Iraq was involved in the April 1993 assassination attempt on former President Bush in Kuwait.

April 18: An Iraqi radar site illuminates two U.S. F-4Gs flying north of the 36th parallel. The site was south of the parallel. One of the aircraft fires an AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile at the tracking radar and destroyed it.

April 9: Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery sites fire on Provide Comfort aircraft near the Saddam dam in northern Iraq.

Feb. 3: Iraqi gunners fire at a U.S. aircraft on routine patrol over northern Iraq.

Jan. 22: An F-4G fires two missiles at a surface-to-air-missile (SAM) site in northern Iraq.

Jan. 21: An F-16 and an F-4G escorting a French Mirage reconnaissance plane over northern Iraq attack an Iraqi missile battery after the site's search radar began tracking them.

 
1992

Dec. 27: U.S. fighter planes shoot down an Iraqi aircraft violating the southern no-fly zone.

Aug. 26: Bush announces air exclusion zone below 32nd parallel, banning the flying of both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

July 5: UNSCOM inspectors are denied access to an Iraqi government building in Baghdad. Once a new team of "impartial" advisors are appointed, UNSCOM is allowed to enter the building.

April 5: Iranian warplanes attack rebel bases inside Iraq. Iraq responds by scrambling fighters and (unsuccessfully) pursuing the intruders. U.S. forces do not interfere. The Iraqis continue to fly on succeeding days, effectively overturning the ban on all their flying, which they had observed since March 22, 1991.

 
1991

Oct. 11: UNSC Resolution 715 approves plans for ongoing monitoring and verification of Iraqi weapons program. The resolution establishes that Iraq must cooperate fully with UNSCOM and IAEA inspectors.

Oct. 9: A cease-fire is agreed between Kurdish and Iraqi forces.

Oct. 6: Last Kuwaiti oil fires are extinguished.

Sept. 24: Iraq agrees to allow UN helicopters to make unrestricted flights over its territory.

Sept. 6-13: Iraq blocks UNSCOM's use of helicopters to conduct inspections.

Aug. 2-8: UNSCOM uncovers a major Iraqi biological weapons program, including seed stocks of three biological warfare agents and three potential warfare strains.

July 18-20: Iraqi ballistic missile concealment is revealed. UNSCOM discovers and destroys undeclared decoy missiles and launch support equipment.

June 25: The United States announces formation of an intervention force to protect Kurds in northern Iraq.

June 23-28: For the first time, Iraqi troops fire shots to prevent UNSCOM/IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspectors from intercepting Iraqi vehicles carrying nuclear-related equipment. Equipment is later found and destroyed under cease-fire rules.

June 17: A UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) is established to oversee Iraq disarmament in accordance with UNSC Resolution 687.

April 10: U.S. officials warn Iraq not to interfere with Kurdish relief operations. No Iraqi planes (fixed- or rotary-winged) are to fly north of the 36th parallel.

April 6: Joint Task Force Provide Comfort is formed and deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, to conduct humanitarian operations in northern Iraq.

April 3: UNSC Resolution 687 specifies cease-fire conditions and requirements for Iraq disarmament.

March 22: A U.S. F-15C shoots down another Iraqi SU-22 over northern Iraq. That same day, another U.S. pilot forced the pilot of an Iraqi PC-9 (a training aircraft) to eject. Iraqi fixed-wing aircraft stayed on the ground for the next 12 months.

March 20: U.S. F-15C shoots down an Iraqi SU-22 flying over northern Iraq.

March: Iraq puts down revolt in 14 of 18 governorates, with the help of attack helicopters.

March 3: At cease-fire talks with the Iraqis at Safwan, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf warn the Iraqis that coalition forces would shoot down any Iraqi military aircraft flying over the country. However, he allows the Iraqis use of helicopters to aid communication and governance of southern Iraq. He does not anticipate that Iraq will use this permission to suppress revolts using armed helicopters.

March 2: By an 11-to-1 vote, the UNSC approves Resolution 686, outlining the conditions Iraq must meet prior to a formal cease-fire.

Feb. 28: Bush announces a cease-fire, ending the Gulf War.

Feb. 24: Given the failure of several efforts to avert conflict, and the lack of an Iraqi troops' withdrawal from Kuwait, allied forces begin their long-planned land, sea and air offensive aimed at driving Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Iraqi forces begin destroying Kuwaiti oil wells and other oilfield infrastructure.

Feb. 15: Iraq offers to withdraw from Kuwait. Coalition forces reject the offer due to numerous conditions attached to it.

Jan. 29: Iraqi troops attack Khafji, Saudi Arabia, and are defeated by coalition forces.

Jan. 23: Iraqi military forces deliberately create a huge oil spill in the Persian Gulf, the largest oil spill on record. U.S. officials term the spill an act of "environmental terrorism."

Jan. 22: Iraq launches a Scud missile attack against Israel. This follows similar attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Jan. 16: Coalition air strikes ("Operation Desert Storm") against Iraq begin at midnight.

Jan. 12: The U.S. Congress authorizes Bush to use "all necessary means" to force Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait.

Jan. 9: Secretary of State James Baker meets Aziz in Geneva in an unsuccessful effort to resolve the conflict.

1990

Dec. 6: First ship with equipment of Germany-based VII Corps offensive troops arrives in Saudi Arabia.

Nov. 29: The UNSC approves Resolution 678 authorizing use of "all necessary means" to force Iraq out of Kuwait if Iraq does not withdraw by Jan. 15, 1991.

Nov. 8: The United States announces decision to deploy 200,000 more troops to the Persian Gulf to build up capability for an offensive.

Oct. 29: The UNSC passes Resolution 674 making Iraq liable for damages, injuries and financial losses resulting from the invasion and occupation of Kuwait.

Sept. 1: An emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo calls for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, pay reparations and allow foreigners to leave Iraq and Kuwait.

Aug. 25: The UNSC authorizes naval forces in and around the Persian Gulf to use force to prevent violations of UN economic sanctions on Iraq.

Aug. 18: The UNSC passes Resolution 664 calling on Iraq to release all foreign citizens and warns Iraq against harming them.

Aug. 17: Iraq announces that it will "play host" to citizens of countries in the international coalition using them as "human shields" against possible coalition attacks.

Aug. 14: Syrian forces arrive in Saudi Arabia.

Aug. 13: Pakistan announces it has agreed to send troops to Saudi Arabia.

Aug. 11: Egyptian and Moroccan troops begin arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Aug. 10: An emergency Arab summit meeting in Cairo, Egypt, votes to send Arab troops to Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states to assist in defending them against possible Iraqi attack.

Aug. 9: The UNSC unanimously declares Iraq's annexation of Kuwait "null and void."

Aug. 8: Iraq announces its annexation of Kuwait.

Aug. 6-7: Bush sends U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia to assist in the defense of the kingdom against possible Iraqi aggression. U.S. forces grow to over 200,000 by late October.

Aug. 6: the UNSC passes Resolution 661 imposing a broad trade embargo on Iraq and occupied Kuwait.

Aug. 3: Iraq claims it will withdraw from Kuwait by Aug. 5. Convoys of "withdrawn" equipment found by journalists to include captured Kuwaiti material.

Aug. 2: Iraqi forces invade Kuwait in the early morning hours and quickly establish military control of Kuwait. U.S. President George Bush harshly condemns the invasion, orders economic sanctions on Iraq and occupied Kuwait, and freezes Iraqi and Kuwaiti assets in the United States. The UN Security Council (UNSC) passes Resolution 660, condemning the invasion and demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. The UNSC threatens to impose mandatory sanctions against Iraq unless it complies with the resolution. There are six U.S. Navy Middle East Force ships in the Persian Gulf (continuous Middle East Force presence since 1949). USS Independence Carrier Battle Group is in the Indian Ocean and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Battle Group is in the Mediterranean.

July 25: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein meets with U.S. Ambassador April Glaspie. Glaspie, perhaps unfortunately, tells Hussein that the United States has no opinion on the border dispute between Iraq and Kuwait.

July 16: Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz accuses Kuwaitis of "direct aggression" against Iraq by producing oil above OPEC quotas and slant-drilling into the Rumaila oilfield, which straddles the Kuwait-Iraq border.

 

Compiled by Colin Robinson CDI Research Analyst crobinson@cdi.org [Contributor up to December 16, 2002: Sofia Aldape CDI Research Assistant saldape@cdi.org]

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