iraq sent hundred of troops and civilians were killed. it wasn t the first strike set to punish the iraqi regime. d 23 cruise missiles launched into downtown baghdad, a warning after an assassination plot on former president george h.w. bush. coll collin powell was at the time. the missiles hit a building believe today have housed iraq s intelligence service. punitive attacks have been used for murders of americans. in 1986 libyan strong man said to be behind a bombing. two u.s. servicemen were killed. the u.s. military reply, 60 tons of am mun nation raining down.