Britain Commits Significant Forces to US-Led Iraq Airstrikes

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated that his country has committed substantial forces to the US-led airstrikes against Iraq, with a significant role in the operation. Blair emphasized that the decision was made after exhausting all other avenues, saying "We have acted because we must." The UK's involvement is substantial, with at least 12 Tornado aircraft and six Jaguar bombers deployed in the region, along with ships and military personnel. Blair emphasized that the goal is to degrade and diminish Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program, which he described as a threat to regional and global stability.

Key Takeaways:

• Britain has committed significant forces to the US-led airstrikes against Iraq, with a substantial role in the operation.
• Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated that the decision was made after exhausting all other avenues, with the goal of degrading and diminishing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program.
• The UK's involvement in the operation includes at least 12 Tornado aircraft and six Jaguar bombers, deployed in Kuwait and Turkey, respectively.
• Blair emphasized that the action could have been avoided if Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, had honored United Nations resolutions and abandoned his weapons program through diplomacy.
• The UK's involvement is aimed at guaranteeing the safety and stability of the region and the wider world, with Blair stating that the entire international community has worked to stop Saddam Hussein from keeping and developing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

Statistics:

• 12 Tornado aircraft are deployed in Kuwait as part of the UK's contribution to the airstrikes.
• 6 Jaguar bombers are deployed in Turkey as part of the UK's contribution to the airstrikes.
• The UK has deployed ships and military personnel in the Persian Gulf as part of its involvement in the operation.
• The airstrikes against Iraq are aimed at degrading and diminishing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program, which Blair described as a direct threat to regional and global stability.

Sources:

• United Press International, Copyright 1998 by United Press International. All rights reserved.