Back to the video list: Israeli History

 

The Iraq ran a military nuclear programme during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This constituted a direct threat to Israel. Therefore, the Israeli government authorized the Operation Opera. on 17 June 1981 the Israeli Air Force destroyed the reactor Osirak and averted the Iraqi nuclear threat.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 17 Jun 1981
  • Location: Bagdad, Iraq
  • Event: Destruction of the Iraqi reactor Osirak by an Israeli air strike

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Israel, esp. Israeli Air Force
  • Iraq
  • France (Development & construction of the Iraqi reactor Osirak)

 

Background

  • Iraq strives to be the leading power in the Arab world
  • Iraq runs a military nuclear programme (officially not classified as militarily by Iraq):
    • 1959 – 1975: Co-operation with the Soviet Union
    • From 1975: Co-operation with France
  • From 1977 conservative government in Israel (prime minister Begin)
  • Iraq poses a clear & present danger to Israel
  • First phase of the Iran-Iraq War (22 Sep 1980 – 20 Aug 1988)

 

History

The Iraqi Nuclear Programme

  • 1975/76: Agreement on a nuclear co-operation between France & Iraq
  • 1979: Construction of the reactor Osirak commences (Iraqi name Tammuz = Babylonian month in which the Ba‘ath party took over power in 1968)
  • 1980: France ships 12.5 kg highly enriched uranium to Iraq
  • 1976 – 1979: Israel, supported by the U.S., fails with diplomatic efforts to stop France & Italy constructing the Iraqi reactor

 

Preparing Operation Opera

  • 1979: Israeli decision for a pre-emptive strike
  • 1979/80: Alleged Mossad operations:
    • Destruction of reactor parts by an explosion
    • Assassination of Yehia El-Mashad (nuclear scientist)
  • 30 Sep 1980: Unsuccessful Iranian air attack on the reactor during the Iran-Iraq War (22 Sep 1980 – 20 Aug 1988)
  • 30 Nov 1980: The Iranian air force takes photographs of the reactor & which are allegedly delivered to Israel
  • 1980/81: Israeli reconnaissance missions discover gaps in the Iraqi radar coverage
  • 04 Apr 1981: Iranian air strikes lead to a substantial loss of Iraqi air power

 

Executing Operation Opera

  • 07 Jun 1981 – 15.55: Operation Opera commences with the liftoff of 8 F-16 (attack) & 6 F-15 (fighter cover) from Etzion Airbase
  • 07 Jun 1981 – after 15.55: Israeli jets approach Iraqi airspace via Jordan & Saudi-Arabia
  • 07 Jun 1981 –18:35: Israeli F-16s bomb the reactor & destroy it within 2 minutes
  • 07 Jun 1981 – after 18:37: Return of all Israeli jets to Etzion Airbase

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Iraq:
    • Significant delay of the Iraqi nuclear programme
    • Saddam Hussein orders the execution of the commander & officers of the western air defence sector
  • Israel:
    • Israel averts the short-term & medium-term danger of Iraq
    • The reputation of the Israel Defence Forces, esp. the Israeli Air Force grows
    • Begin wins the 1981 election (esp. because the leader of the opposition Peres criticises the operation)
    • Israel is under diplomatic pressure (see below)
  • International:
    • International community (publicly) condemns the operation because of the violation of Iraqi airspace; but also covert approval, esp. in the Arab world
    • More states initiate clandestine programmes of developing weapons of mass destruction
    • Proof that pre-emptive strikes can still be very effective but also bring diplomatic problems in the aftermath