The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that US and UK aircraft attacked six sites which comprised part of the Iraqi Integrated Air Defence System in the early evening of 16 February. But by using stand-off weapons the coalition aircraft did not need to go outside the zone themselves. This operation was carefully pre-planned and approved by Ministers in London. RAF participation included Tornado GR1 aircraft and associated air defence and tanker support. All aircraft returned safely.
Initial reports are that weapons hit their targets successfully.
Iraqi air defences have been increasing the frequency of their attacks using sophisticated command and control arrangements, posing an increased threat to coalition aircraft. Saddam Hussein should be clear that we will not tolerate continued attempts to endanger the lives of our aircrew. But if he stops shooting at us there will be no need for the RAF to attack his air defences.