Bush Launched an Attack a Month Before 9/11—Against Iraq, Not Al-Qaeda
Summary
About a month before the 9/11 attacks, the United States was actively attacking Iraq to weaken its military defenses. In August 2001, U.S. fighter jets bombed Iraqi communications facilities as part of ongoing military operations related to enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq.Key Facts
- In August 2001, U.S. aircraft attacked Iraqi communications sites upgraded with fiber optics technology from China.
- The fiber optics system improved Iraq's air defense coordination, making it harder to intercept communications.
- Since 1991, the U.S. and Britain had maintained no-fly zones over parts of Iraq with about 20,000 American troops in nearby countries.
- In 2001, Iraq increasingly targeted U.S. and British aircraft with missiles and radar locks during patrols.
- The U.S. changed military rules to allow more flexible and pre-planned retaliatory strikes on Iraq.
- A U.S. Predator drone was reportedly shot down by Iraq in late August 2001, though the U.S. denied confirmation.
- The U.S. responded to increased Iraqi aggressiveness with additional air attacks on air defense and communications targets.
- The Bush administration had two aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf preparing for more military actions.
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