1993 cruise missile strikes on Iraq facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 1993 cruise missile strikes on Iraq
Part of Iraqi no-fly zones conflict and the Persian Gulf Conflicts
Date 26 June 1993 Location Persian Gulf Result Intelligence headquarters in Baghdad destroyed
Belligerents
United States	Iraq
Commanders and leaders
Bill Clinton Colin Powell	Saddam Hussein
Strength
1 cruiser 1 destroyer 23 cruise missiles	N/A
Casualties and losses
None	Unknown
9 civilians killed (Iraqi sources)

In June 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered missile strikes on Iraq. This action was a warning and a response to an alleged plot to kill former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. The plot was said to involve Iraqi agents during Bush's visit to Kuwait in April 1993.

On June 27, 1993, 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired by two U.S. Navy ships. They hit a building in downtown Baghdad, which was believed to be the main office of the Iraqi Intelligence Service. Iraq reported that nine civilians died and three homes were destroyed in the attack.

The Plot Against George H. W. Bush

A Trip to Kuwait

On April 13, 1993, former U.S. President George H. W. Bush was set to visit Kuwait City. He was going there to celebrate the victory of the international team against Iraq in the Gulf War. The day before his visit, Kuwaiti police arrested 17 people. They believed these people were planning to kill Bush.

The plan involved using explosives hidden in a Toyota Landcruiser car. Kuwaiti authorities found the car. It contained about 80 to 90 kilograms of plastic explosives. These explosives were connected to a device that could make them explode. They also found ten smaller cube-shaped explosive devices in the car.

Who Was Responsible?

President Clinton believed the Iraqi Intelligence Service was behind the plot. This belief was based on two main things. First, the people arrested in Kuwait told FBI agents that they were involved. However, these people later said their confessions were not true.

Second, bomb experts from the FBI and the CIA said the car bombs looked like they were made in Iraq. However, these types of explosives were made in many places across the Middle East, not just Iraq. Later, some experts questioned if Iraq was truly behind the plot.

Cruise Missile Attack on Baghdad

The Missile Strike

Between 1 AM and 2 AM on June 26 and 27, 1993, 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched. They were fired from two U.S. Navy warships. The missiles hit a building in the Mansour district of downtown Baghdad. This building was thought to be the main office for Iraqi intelligence.

Iraq stated that nine civilians were killed and three civilian homes were destroyed. The missiles were launched from the destroyer USS Peterson in the Red Sea and the cruiser USS Chancellorsville in the Persian Gulf.

Why the Attack Happened

Les Aspin, who was the Secretary of Defense at the time, explained the reason for the attack. He said in an interview on June 27, 1993, that the U.S. was sending a message. This message was for the people who planned the assassination attempt. He hoped that if anyone thought about doing something similar again, they would remember this strong warning.