Operation Desert Fox

Operation Desert Fox
source
Conflict	Operation Desert Fox
Part of	Iraq War
Date	December 16–19, 1998
Place	Iraq
Result	United Nations United Nations Security Council Resolution 1154 reaffirmed

Operation Desert Fox was a major United States-led bombing campaign against Iraq, conducted in conjunction with the United Kingdom, from December 16 to 19, 1998. The operation involved Royal Air Force and United States Air Force aircraft, including B-52 Stratofortress, F-117 Nighthawk, and Tornado GR1, and was supported by United States Navy and Royal Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. The campaign was aimed at targeting Iraqi Republican Guard facilities, Iraqi Air Defense systems, and other strategic targets, including those related to Iraq's nuclear program, such as the Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Facility, and chemical weapons production, such as the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory. The operation was authorized by President of the United States Bill Clinton, in consultation with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair and other NATO leaders, including Secretary General of NATO Javier Solana.

Background

The background to the operation involved the long-standing United Nations efforts to monitor and dismantle Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs, including those related to biological weapons, chemical weapons, and nuclear weapons, as mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 687. The United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), led by Richard Butler (diplomat), had been working to inspect and dismantle Iraq's ballistic missile program, including the Al-Hussein missile and Al-Abbas missile, and other weapons of mass destruction facilities, such as the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory. However, Iraq had been consistently obstructing the work of UNSCOM, leading to a deterioration in relations between Iraq and the United Nations, and prompting United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Robin Cook to call for stronger action against Iraq. The situation was further complicated by the Iraqi withdrawal from the Kuwait border, and the Turkish-Iraqi border incidents, which involved Turkey and Iraq.

Planning and Objectives

The planning for the operation involved close coordination between the United States Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and other NATO countries, including Canada, France, and Germany, with Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark playing a key role. The objectives of the operation were to degrade Iraq's ability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction, and to demonstrate the commitment of the United States and its allies to enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1154 and Resolution 1205. The operation was also intended to support the work of UNSCOM, and to deter Iraq from further obstructing the inspections, as mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1284. The planning process involved extensive consultation with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and other international leaders, including Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.

Execution

The execution of the operation involved a series of coordinated airstrikes against strategic targets in Iraq, including Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul. The airstrikes were conducted by United States Air Force and Royal Air Force aircraft, including F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and Tornado GR1, and were supported by United States Navy and Royal Navy ships in the Persian Gulf, including the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and HMS Invincible (R05). The operation also involved the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles, launched from United States Navy ships, including the USS Gettysburg (CG-64), and Royal Navy ships, including the HMS Splendid (S106). The airstrikes targeted a range of facilities, including Iraqi Republican Guard barracks, Iraqi Air Defense systems, and weapons of mass destruction production facilities, such as the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory and the Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Facility.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the operation saw a significant deterioration in relations between Iraq and the United Nations, with Iraq expelling UNSCOM inspectors and refusing to cooperate with the United Nations. The operation also led to a significant increase in tensions between the United States and Iraq, with Iraq launching a series of Scud missile attacks against Israel and Saudi Arabia. The operation was widely condemned by Russia, China, and other countries, including France and Germany, with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji calling for an end to the airstrikes. However, the operation was supported by NATO leaders, including Secretary General of NATO Javier Solana, and other international leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Controversy and Criticism

The operation was the subject of significant controversy and criticism, with many questioning the legitimacy and effectiveness of the airstrikes. Critics, including Noam Chomsky and Edward Said, argued that the operation was a violation of international law, and that it would only serve to increase tensions and instability in the region, as predicted by Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski. Others, including Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz, argued that the operation was necessary to demonstrate the commitment of the United States and its allies to enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions, and to deterring Iraq from further developing weapons of mass destruction. The operation was also criticized for its potential humanitarian consequences, including the risk of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, as highlighted by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The controversy surrounding the operation continues to be debated by scholars and policymakers, including Joseph Nye and Robert Kagan, with some arguing that it was a necessary step to protect regional stability, and others arguing that it was a misguided and counterproductive use of force. Category:1990s conflicts