Middle East 645
Participants: 666 Israel/645 Iraq
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Two Israeli fighter planes entered Iraqi airspace by more than 30 miles
before they were driven out by Iraqi fighter planes. Iraq had stepped up air patrols
after an incident in June when Israeli planes raided Iraq’s Osirak reactor. Israel said
the plant was going to be used for nuclear devices, but France and Iraq said it was
for peaceful means only. Four days later Israeli warplanes flew 36 miles into Iraqi
airspace and were again chased out by Iraqi planes. Both times the incursion occurred
in the same area near an Iraqi military base.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from December 28, 1981.
MID#3956
Dispute Number: 3956
Date(s): April 2, 1990 to February 28, 1991
Participants: 645 Iraq/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On April 2, 1990, President Saddam Hussein threatened that if Israel ever
tried to attack Iraq then Iraq would destroy half of Israel with chemical weapons. Dur-
ing the Gulf War, Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, wounding more than 300 peo-
ple, killing at least one person, destroying thousands of homes. Israel’s military was
on war alert from January 15, 1991, until February 28, 1991, when the ceasefire came
into effect and the possibility of more Iraqi attacks from chemical weapons dwindled.
MID#3981
Dispute Number: 3981
Date(s): October 4, 1991
Participants: 666 Israel/645 Iraq
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Four Israeli F-15 fighters violated Iraqi airspace on a reconnaissance
patrol. The fighters entered from Syria and exited through Saudi Arabia.
MID#4273
Started in October 1997. See the narrative in the 2 United States of America/645 Iraq
dyad dispute list.
MID#4513
Dispute Number: 4513
Date(s): March 22, 2003 to April 13, 2003
Participants: 666 Israel/645 Iraq