There is no precedent for regime change happening just because of air strikes. Saddam Hussein of Iraq was overthrown in 2003 by a huge US-led invasion force. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was overthrown in 2011 by rebel forces that were provided with an air force by Nato and some Arab states. In both cases the result was the collapse of the state, civil war and thousands of killings. Iraq is still dealing with consequences of the invasion and the bloodletting that followed.

Source: The Star February 28, 2026 15:00 UTC