Iraq-U.S. Confrontation
Abstract
Efforts by Iraq to impede U.N. weapons inspections since late 1997 and to challenge the allied-imposed no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq have resulted in further confrontations with the United States and its allies. In early 1998, U.S.-led retaliatory strikes against Iraq were averted by an agreement negotiated by the U.N. Secretary General on February 23, under which Iraq promised immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access by U.N. inspectors throughout Iraq. On March 3, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 1154, which warned Iraq of the severest consequences for violating the agreement. A decision by Iraq to ban almost all U.N. inspections on October 31, 1998, precipitated a new phase of the confrontation. The Clinton Administration decided to abort air and missile strikes planned for November 14-15 after Iraq agreed at the last minute to resume cooperation with U.N. inspections. But, following a report on December 15 by the chief weapons inspector that Iraq was withholding cooperation, the United States and Britain conducted a 4-day operation against Iraq (Operation Desert Fox) including approximately 410 missiles and 600 bombs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 20, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA476010
Entities
People
- Alfred B. Prados
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress