U.S. Launches Cruise Missiles At Iraq 30-50 Navy And Air Force Weapons Aimed At ‘Selected Air Defense Targets’

Outraged by Saddam Hussein’s attacks against Kurds in a United Nations safe zone in northern Iraq, the United States launched a quick volley of cruise missiles at “selected air defense targets” in Iraq, the Pentagon said early today.

A Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said between 30 and 50 missiles had been launched by U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers and from Navy ships in the Persian Gulf region.

The announcement of the military action came as the attack was wrapped up, a senior military official said.

“The strike is over. … Every missile has been launched” that was going to be launched, the official said.

Asked whether the mission had been successful, the senior military officer said the missiles had only just been launched, and that such an early point it was difficult to tell whether the targets had been hit.

Pentagon officials disclosed the strike about 30 minutes after air raid sirens sounded in Baghdad. Barely 15 minutes after the Pentagon said the strike had begun, the senior official said it was over.

President Clinton had ordered the mission, the Pentagon said, adding that he was expected to make a formal statement on the mission at 8 a.m. EDT today.

“At the direction of the president, the Department of Defense has launched cruise missiles to attack selected air defense targets in Iraq,” the Pentagon statement said. “No further details are available at this time.”

It appeared to be a single-strike effort - at least for the moment, a second Pentagon official said. “The next step will be up to Saddam,” the official said.

Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole quickly issued a statement from Salt Lake City declaring, “I stand four-square behind our men and women in uniform. I have every confidence in their professionalism and commitment to fulfill their duties. They should know that the thoughts and prayers of every American … are with them.”

The military strike came after Clinton readied both military and economic punishment of Iraq for Saddam attacks on northern Kurdish strongholds.

White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry told reporters Monday in Milwaukee that the United States had evidence that Saddam’s troops were moving deeper into Kurd-controlled areas. He said it appeared Saddam’s objective was Sulaymaniyah, an administrative center for the Kurdish area.

There was also evidence that Iraqi troops were hunting down and killing political opponents in the areas they are seizing.

The developments came as the White House accused Saddam of “unjustified behavior” in attacking the Kurdish safe haven in northern Iraq and warned ominously that such action will have consequences. The State Department advised Americans to leave Iraq immediately.

Clinton consulted allies and spoke with his national security team.

The White House said it saw no indication that Iraqi troops were pulling back from the original point of its attack, the Kurdish city of Irbil. Clinton had demanded a pullback.

After a speech in De Pere, Wis., Clinton ducked into a mobile trailer to confer with French President Jacques Chirac by telephone on U.S. plans involving Iraq, McCurry said. The president also talked with his chief of staff, Leon Panetta, and national security adviser Anthony Lake by telephone from Air Force One.

McCurry said the United States would seek cooperation from allies, “especially the government of Great Britain.”

“They’ve not calmed down,” a senior Pentagon official said late Monday night of the Iraqi troops. “They’ve not quieted down at all.”

The Pentagon official said the Iraqis had pulled some troops out of Irbil, but not all. “Some remain in the city, some in the area,” he said.

The Iraqis continue to shell the town of Sham Shamal, and appear to be preparing to attack it.