Replies

Just notes for myself.

Saddam shot at planes flying over Iraq. The US and Britain took it upon themselves to invade Iraq’s air space. Both were firing on anything that moved across the ground in Iraq whenever they felt like it. Yes there certainly is recorded verified data on this. What did you expect Hussein would do? Let them keep on doing it and do nothing.”

US and UK were enforcing the UN approved No-Fly-Zones to keep Saddam from killing his own citizens.

” History of Iraqi No-Fly Zones
“Operation Southern Watch: Southern No-Fly Zone established in 1992 in response to Iraqi attacks against civilians in southern Iraq (in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 688). It is supported by coalition members operating under the control of the U.S. Central Command.
Southern NFZ expanded from 32nd to 33rd parallel in 1996 in response to further aggressive military action against the Shi’a population (further violation of UN 688).
Operation Northern Watch: Northern No-Fly Zone established in northern Iraq, north of the 36th parallel, in January 1997 as a follow-on to Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq. All coalition members operate under the control of the United States European Command.”

http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/library/Divisions/Government/Iraqbib.html#NFZones

“...There was no UN approval to attack Iraq as also required by the US constitution to follow international agreements. This made what W Bush did illegal.”

But Saddam did violate UN Resolution 688. By the way Saddam broke every resolution in the UN and even corrupted the organization!

What did you expect Bush would do? Let Saddam keep violating UN Resolutions, committ democide against Iraqi citizens, corrupt the UN Oil for Food Program and do nothing?

Why did he have the no fly zones?

“On August 31, 1996, elements of the Iraqi Army attacked and captured the PUK held town of Irbil in the Kurdish autonomous region of northern Iraq. This attack was led by an Iraqi Republican Guard Mechanized infantry division with the support of regular army troops. This action alarmed the United States and coalition forces in the region. Baghdad threatened Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf partners if they assisted the United States in any retaliation, Iraqi air defense forces also launched surface-to-air missiles against USAF fighter aircraft flying in support of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch. In response to the attack on Irbil, US CENTCOM assessed an increase threat to American interests and quickly moved to bolster its ability to protect vital national interests on the Arabian peninsula. Along with the National Command Authority, CENTCOM began to develop plans for a military response.

The attack was a significant escalation of an ongoing struggle between PUK and KDP Kurdish factions for control of the autonomous region on the north. The Iraqi Baath Party had oppressed the population of the north and a million Kurds fled to safe havens in Turkey following Iraq’s defeat in the Gulf War. This lead to the United Nations resolutions and intensive international calls for humanitarian assistance and at the same time the Iraqi regime continued to oppress the northern population. American efforts to mediate a political settlement between the Kurdish factions reflect a commitment to Iraqi territorial integrity and continuance as a viable state. Iraqi military intervention violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 688, which prohibits Iraqi repression of the Kurds of the north, and the Marsh Arabs of the south. By mobilizing and deploying military forces, the Iraqi regime demonstrated both the capability and the intent to use force to advance its own agenda. Choosing to do so just as the UN was prepared to implement UNSCR 986 confirmed Saddam Hussein’s priorities: control, repression, and readiness to use force. Hussein’s actions confirmed a disregard for the suffering of the Iraqi people and a new willingness to use overwhelming military force to continue the Iraqi regime’s oppression of their own people. This willingness increased the threat of aggression against allied forces enforcing the UN resolutions and international relief workers delivering humanitarian support.

To prevent Iraq’s offensive capabilities in the south and in preparation for possible follow-on operations, the NCA directed an immediate military response. In consultation with coalition partners, CENTCOM evaluated alternative responses from among those available in the region. Against a requirement to send a clear signal of international condemnation for the latest violation of UN resolutions, the Command planned and executed Operation Desert Strike.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Desert_Strike