U.S. Is Striking Iraqi Missiles Near Kuwait Border

March 1 — Iraq has placed surface-to-surface missiles within range of Kuwait in recent weeks, prompting a series of American airstrikes and opening a new phase in the low-grade air war between Iraq and the United States, according to American officials.

As the United States has prepared for a potential war with Iraq, the main focus of its airstrikes has been disabling Iraq air defenses. The attacks, which have been carried out with increasing frequency, have usually been intended to enforce the no-flight zones over southern and northern Iraq and to make it easier for the United States to achieve air superiority quickly if a war begins.

But in recent weeks, there has been a new category of targets: Iraq's surface-to-surface missiles and rockets, systems that could threaten an American-led invasion force, American allies like Kuwait, and Iraqi opponents of President Saddam Hussein.

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