IRAQ: Australian forces in combat operations

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is from the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

CANBERRA, Mar 20 2003 (IPS) - Australian forces have begun combat operations in the war against Iraq, Prime Minister John Howard said on ‘Today’.

"Our forces have started combat and combat support operations," Howard told a news conference.

"The F/A-18 Hornet aircraft have started operations over Iraq. They are conducting missions to escort high-value coalition tanker and airborne early-warning and control aircraft."

"Various Australian naval vessels continue their multinational interdiction and enforcement activities and also support combat operations," Howard said.

Australia has committed a 2,000-strong force to the war against Iraq, despite opinion polls showing most Australians oppose their country’s involvement in the conflict without UN backing.