Iraq’s Naval Threat Ended, Briton Reports

Britain’s naval commander in the Middle East said Tuesday that allied forces have neutralized Iraq’s naval threat and now effectively control the Persian Gulf despite the lingering menace of sea mines, Iraqi warplanes in Iran and Silkworm anti-ship missiles inside Kuwait.

Commodore Chris Craig, speaking at a news conference aboard this supply ship in the Gulf, said that of Iraq’s 22 prime war vessels, 14 have been sunk or incapacitated and three others have been disabled. He said there are doubts about the mechanical readiness of the remainder.

“Maritime forces have indeed achieved almost domination of the Gulf waters,” Craig said, adding that the domination includes a strip of water extending 500 miles from the Strait of Hormuz in the south to the Shatt al Arab waterway in the north.