As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom 20 years ago, US special-operations forces utilized a deceptive strategy, dubbed Operation Ugly Baby, to keep Iraqi military units from reorienting their forces to counter the US invasion from the south. However, the US’s plan faced challenges when Turkey, a NATO member but wary of strengthening Kurdish forces, denied US forces permission to cross Turkish airspace into northern Iraq.
Key Points:
- During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, US military planners decided to feign a second front in the northwestern border of Iraq to distract Iraqi forces from the actual southern invasion.
- US special-operations troops launched Operation Ugly Baby, which intended to keep 13 Iraqi divisions in the north with the help of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.
- The strategy faced hurdles when Turkey, despite being a NATO member, declined to allow US forces to cross its airspace due to concerns over emboldening Kurdish forces.
- Army Special Forces Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jefferey Elwell revealed that attempts were made over three days to enter northern Iraq via Turkish airspace, but each attempt was denied.
- Turkish fighter jets even intercepted US special-operations aircraft carrying troops, forcing them to return to base.
