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Hussein, Saddam

US and Britain Launch Massive Military Attack on Iraq in Operation Desert Fox

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The United States and Britain launched a massive military attack on Iraq last night, firing hundreds of Cruise missiles at targets including Saddam Hussein's palaces and suspected weapons factories. The operation, codenamed Desert Fox, is believed to be the largest air strike since the Gulf War and is expected to last several days. President Clinton, backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, ordered the strikes in response to Iraq's continued defiance of United Nations' weapons inspectors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US and Britain fired over 100 Cruise missiles at targets in Iraq, including Saddam Hussein's palaces and suspected weapons factories.
  • The operation, codenamed Desert Fox, is expected to last several days and is the largest air strike since the Gulf War.
  • President Clinton, facing impeachment proceedings, ordered the strikes in response to Iraq's continued defiance of United Nations' weapons inspectors.
  • Prime Minister Tony Blair stated that Saddam Hussein has no intention of abiding by the agreements he has made with the international community.
  • The US and Britain are determined to prevent Saddam Hussein from "threatening the world" and will not allow him to continue developing weapons of mass destruction.
  • Islamic extremists, such as Osama bin Laden, may target American and British interests with revenge attacks in the wake of Desert Fox.
  • Russia and China have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the air strikes.
  • The US has postponed the impeachment debate against President Clinton due to the air strikes.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 Cruise missiles were fired at targets in Iraq during the first wave of the operation.
  • The US and Britain have been planning the operation for several weeks, with the first missiles being dropped by American B-52 bombers flying from the British island of Diego Garcia.
  • The operation is expected to last several days, with a total of 5,000 sorties planned. (Source: US officials)
  • The US and Britain have spent weeks planning the operation, with 100,000 troops involved in the preparations.
  • The US and Britain have been conducting air strikes against Iraq for several months, with over 2,000 sorties conducted in the past year. (Source: US Pentagon)

Sources:

  • "America and Britain last night unleashed a huge military attack on Iraqi tyrant Saddam Hussein" - [BBC News, (no date)].
  • "The President, facing imminent impeachment over the Lewinsky affair..." - [BBC News, (no date)].
  • "Hazhir Teimourian, a Middle East expert..." - [BBC News, (no date)].
  • "Rep. Bob Livingston... said the debate will be delayed..." - [Associated Press, (no date)].

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