Mr Hoon said the raids were in response to an increased threat to allied aircraft from Iraq's missile defences. 
But General Sir John Akehurst, former NATO deputy commander  said : he was sorry that Britain... should be associated with this attack. '' I think it may do serious economic damage to Britain's'; business interests in the Middle East and possible in the Islamic world.''. General Sir John Akehurst was speaking to the BBC News 24 just two hours after the raids news were announced 
 General Sir John Akehurst also believes that Britain and the US would find it difficult to justify the intervention on the grounds of retaliating to Iraqi threats. "It seems to me to be a serious public relations blunder because it will stimulate great antipathy throughout the Middle East,'' he said. 
"I'm sorry that Britain, who were not all that unpopular [ in some countries ]  and very popular in some countries, should be associated with this and I think it may do serious economic damage."
The attack news came  as the Prince of Wales flew into Saudi Arabia on an official state visit to the Al-Faisaliah Centre in the capital Riyadh, which houses one of the tallest towers in the world and British firms were heavily involved in building the project, while big commercial names like Harvey Nichols opening big stores there.. 
Sir John Akehurst interview on BBC NEWs 24 was made  in response to news just arrived from Baghdad about causalities including children.
According to Pentagon and Ministry of Defence statements, five military installations within 20 miles of Baghdad were targeted, including some north of the 33rd parallel marking the limit of the southern Iraqi no-fly zone. But Iraqi sources and journalists in the Iraqi capital say the rockets hit southern suburbs of Baghdad. 
Iraqi television reported that at least one civilian, a woman, was killed as well as two children and nine others were injured, some seriously. 
Mr Hoon told BBC News 24: "We were concerned that the scale of attacks on coalition aircraft recently had increased very significantly. We decided it was necessary to protect the air crew." 
The MoD said more missiles were fired at allied aircraft in January than during all of last year. 
Mr Hoon said civilian casualties were "always a risk", but insisted that missions were conducted "to ensure a minimal effect". He said there was no change in policy over Iraq. "This is entirely consistent with the way in which we have conducted the protection of the no-fly zones. "But obviously if our air crew come under attack we allow them to protect themselves." 
Downing Street said Mr Hoon authorised the raids earlier this week following discussions with the Americans. 
Labour MP Tony Benn wants an immediate recall of parliament in the light of the bombings. 
He said: "These attacks cannot be justified in international law and will certainly increase tension in the area at a time when the Palestinian Israeli situation is worsening." 
Donald Anderson MP, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, told BBC News 24 the attack would "run the danger of isolating us in the Middle East". "We need to know the justification, the facts of it very clearly indeed," he added.