Southern No-Fly Zone (below the 32nd parallel, later extended to the 33rd parallel, enforced by Operation Southern Watch and later, Resinate South).

The primary goal of these operations was to limit Saddam Hussein’s ability to use air power against opposition groups and minority populations, particularly the Kurds in the north and the Shi’a Muslims in the south.

RAF Involvement and Operations

Operation Resinate South replaced previous British contributions to Operation Southern Watch in 1998.
The RAF deployed Tornado GR1 and later GR4 aircraft, supported by VC10 and Tristar tankers for in-air refueling and E-3D Sentry AWACS for surveillance.

Missions were flown from Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
RAF aircraft conducted reconnaissance, air patrols, and occasional precision strikes against Iraqi military targets that threatened coalition aircraft or violated UN resolutions.
Engagements included retaliatory strikes on Iraqi air defence systems when coalition aircraft were targeted by surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) or radar tracking.

Outcome and Legacy
Operation Resinate South continued until 2003, when it was replaced by Operation Telic, the UK’s contribution to the invasion of Iraq.
The operation maintained continuous aerial surveillance and deterrence against Iraqi military aggression in the south.
It contributed to the broader strategy of containing Saddam Hussein’s regime before the 2003 Iraq War.

Conclusion
Operation Resinate South was a key component of the UK’s post-Gulf War military operations and played a significant role in enforcing international resolutions against Iraq. It demonstrated the RAF’s capability in long-term air policing and military deterrence in the Middle East.