February 2001 airstrike in Iraq
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox military operation
|name = February 2001 airstrike in Iraq
|partof = Iraqi no-fly zones conflict
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|type = Missile attacks
|location = Taji radar site
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|planned =
|planned_by = {{Country|United States}}
{{Country|United Kingdom}}
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|date = {{start date|2001|02|16}}
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|executed_by = United States Air Force
Royal Air Force
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|casualties =
|fatalities = 3 civilians{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/02/22/us.iraq.strike.02/index.html|title=CNN.com - Two bombed Iraqi radar sites back in operation - February 22, 2001|website=edition.cnn.com}}
}}
On February 16, 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush ordered air strikes on five military targets near the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/feb/16/iraq|title=US and British aircraft attack Iraq|first=Staff and|last=agencies|date=February 16, 2001|website=the Guardian}} The strikes came in response to imminent Iraqi threats to aircraft patrolling the no-fly zones.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/02/17/us-britain-bomb-5-iraqi-sites/ba9bf810-e381-4391-9c8a-b71e9e4b15ac/ |title=U.S., Britain Bomb 5 Iraqi Sites |date=2001-02-17 |author1=Thomas E. Ricks |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}} Many countries, including U.S. allies, have condemned the airstrikes, which they have called illegal. The U.S. military said the bombing was essentially a self-defense operation.{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/02/16/iraq.airstrike.02/index.html|title=CNN.com - Allies hit Iraq with 'self-defense' strike - February 16, 2001|website=edition.cnn.com}} It was President Bush's first military action since taking office.
Background
U.S. and British officials base the no-fly zones on UN Security Council Resolution 688, which demands that Iraq end the oppression of its population, and on the ceasefire agreement after the Gulf War that prevent Iraq from interfering in allied air operations over Iraq
Reactions
Iraq described the act as an "aggression and a unilateral use of force against the sovereignty of an independent state."{{Cite web|url=https://twn.my/title/iraq2.htm|title=Irag: The undeclared war|website=twn.my}}
A Kuwaiti official said his country "neither permits nor condemns the strikes". Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey have expressed levels of opposition to the bombing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tni.org/en/article/the-february-bombing-of-iraq-and-the-bush-jr-administration|title=The February Bombing of Iraq and the Bush Jr Administration|date=July 18, 2005|website=Transnational Institute}} The U.S. president, speaking from Mexico during a meeting with President Vicente Fox, described the bombing as a "routine mission to enforce the no-fly zone". "It was a task that I was informed of and authorized, but I repeat, it's a routine mission." In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's office said Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon authorized the raids earlier this week after discussions with the United States.
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{coord missing|Iraq}}
Category:Airstrikes during the Iraqi no-fly zones conflict
Category:Airstrikes conducted by the United States
Category:Airstrikes conducted by the United Kingdom
Category:February 2001 in Iraq
Category:Presidency of George W. Bush
Category:Attacks on military installations in 2001
Category:History of Baghdad Governorate
Category:Building bombings in Iraq