Operation Opera

Operation Opera (Hebrew: מִבְצָע אוֹפֵּרָה, also called Operation Babylon and Operation Ofra) was a 1981 Israeli surprise attack on Iraq's nuclear reactor which was under developing in Osirak (Iraqi: Tammuz 1).

In the late 1970s, Iraq purchased a French "Osiris-class" nuclear reactor. Israeli military intelligence believed that the reactor was intended to produce plutonium for Iraq's nuclear program. Israeli intelligence also believed that the summer of 1981 would be the last opportunity to destroy the reactor before it was loaded with nuclear fuel rods.

On 7 June 1981, an Israeli Air Force's F-16A combat aircraft, with the help of many F-15As, bombed and heavily destroyed Osirak nuclear reactor.

The distance between Israeli military bases and the reactor site is far—more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi), meaning that military forces would operate without easy logistical support, and would have to cross Jordanian and Saudi territory. In addition, Israeli intelligence could not guarantee the accuracy of information about the Iraqi defense situation.

After many controversies, the Israeli military concluded that a group of F-16As with plenty of fuel and weapons, with a group of F-15As providing protection and support, could carry out an attack on the reactor without refueling.

The Israeli military also decided that it was crucial to destroy the reactor before it was loaded with nuclear fuel rods, to minimize the effects of destroying it on civilians. Many European scientists were working at the reactor, and Israel decided to attack on a Sunday, when most scientists were off.

There were reports that the fuel rods were being shipped from France to Iraq, the Israeli cabinet—then led by Menachem Begin —authorized the operation.

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