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Hussein, Saddam

Iraq Licks Wounds After Four-Night Air Strike Blitz

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has declared victory after four nights of U.S. and British air strikes, which aimed to cripple the country's military capabilities. However, the true extent of the damage remains unclear, with estimates suggesting lower civilian casualties than initially claimed by the Iraqi government. Diplomats are now scrambling to assess the outcome of the mission and determine the next course of action.

Key Takeaways:

  • The air strikes appeared to be a tactical success, gutting government buildings in crowded neighborhoods with precision.
  • At least 30 to 40 deaths have been confirmed in Baghdad by the International Committee for the Red Cross, with no reports of large-scale deaths in outlying provinces.
  • The Iraqi government claims to have sustained "shame and humiliation" from the enemies of God and humanity, but diplomats question the value of the attack and its long-term outcome.
  • The U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) has been withdrawn and may not be readmitted, prompting concerns about the need for periodic air strikes to rein in Saddam Hussein's military ambitions.
  • Civilian casualties are difficult to determine due to restricted access to information and past exaggeration of numbers by the Iraqi government.
  • Diplomats regard the regime's discipline and ability to maintain control during the bombing as a testament to its grip on power.
  • Ordinary Iraqis have returned to normal life, with schools reopening and streets filling with traffic, indicating the lack of popular uprising against the regime.

Statistics:

  • At least 30 to 40 deaths have been confirmed in Baghdad by the International Committee for the Red Cross.
  • 100 humanitarian workers were evacuated during the bombing and are expected to return to their jobs by Tuesday.
  • The U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) has been withdrawn for the second time in the past five days.
  • The four-night air strike blitz resulted in the destruction of multiple government buildings and infrastructure in residential neighborhoods.

Sources:

  • "Iraqi Government Claims Victory After Four-Night Air Strike Blitz" by the New York Times (cited in the Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services article, 1998).
  • CNN report by Nizar Hamdoon, Iraq's U.N. delegate.
  • Interview with Prekash Shah, special envoy to Iraq, at the Baghdad headquarters of the United Nations mission.
  • Article in El Thawra, the newspaper of the ruling Baath party (cited in the Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services article, 1998).
  • Statement by Kudheir al-Duleimi, an official of the Iraqi information ministry.
  • Comments from Western and European diplomats in Baghdad (cited in the Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services article, 1998).

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