Ali Hassan al-Majid

Guide Note: Ali Hassan al-Majid is the former defense minister of Iraq. He earned the name "Chemical Ali" after he ordered a chemical weapons attack on a village of Iraqi Kurds in 1988 - the Anfal Campaign, an act that killed thousands. On February 29, 2008, Iraq's Presidency Council sentenced him to death by hanging. Al-Majid was convicted on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in June 2007. The execution should happen within thirty days of the 2008 ruling.

Fast Facts:

1. Military governor of Kuwait during the Iraqi occupation
2. First cousin to Saddam Hussein
3. Senior official within Saddam Hussein's regime
4. Anfal Campaign: (Spoils of War) occured between February-August 1988
5. Saddam's government: Anfal Campaign clampdown on Kurdish separatism in the north
6. Anfal civilian death toll: 180,000
7. Mustard gas, nerve agents were dropped from planes on the Kurdish villages

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The Mahalo Top 7

1. Al Jazeera: 'Chemical Ali' Execution Approved (February 29, 2008)
   • "It is estimated that 182,000 Kurds were killed in gas and bomb attacks during the Anfal campaign, while 4,000 villages were destroyed. Throughout his trial, al-Majid was unrepentant about ordering the attacks."
2. BBC News: 'Chemical Ali' execution approved (February 29, 2008)
3. The Telegraph: 'Chemical Ali' execution approved in Iraq (February 29, 2008)
4. Wikipedia: Ali Hassan al-Majid
5. Human Rights Watch: Who Was Ali Hassan Al-Majid ("Chemical Ali") ? (2003)
6. The Independent: Chemical Ali: The end of an overlord  
7. NBC Video: 'Chemical Ali' questioned (2004)

Ali Hassan al-Majid Recent News

• The Press Association: Chemical Ali Taken to Hospital (April 21, 2008)
• Reuters: Iraq council approves Chemical Ali hanging (February 29, 2008)
• The Associated Press: 'Chemical Ali' Execution OK'd in Iraq (February 29, 2008)
• CNN: Iraq approves execution of 'Chemical Ali' (February 29, 2008)
• International Herald Tribune: Chemical Ali denies role in gas attacks on Kurds
• CNN: 'Chemical Ali' sentenced to hang
• BBC News: 'Chemical Ali' faces his accusers (Sept 24, 2007)
• Washington Post: 'Chemical Ali' Sentenced to Hang for Genocide of Kurds
• Huffington Post: Chemical Ali to Hang for Kurd Slaughter
• USAToday.com: 'Chemical Ali' says he displaced Kurds but denies executing hundreds of fighters  
• MSNBC: In Iraq, sometimes death is the only justice
• NPR Audio: Death Sentence for Iraq's 'Chemical Ali'
• Slate Magazine: Dispatch from Halabja

Ali Hassan al-Majid Background

• BBC News: Profile: 'Chemical Ali'
• Human Rights Watch: Who Was Ali Hassan Al-Majid ("Chemical Ali") ? (2003)
• Answers.com: Ali Hassan al-Majid
• State.gov: Detention of Ali Hasan al-Majid (2003)
• MSNBC: Judges quiz former Iraqi regime members (2004)

Ali Hassan al-Majid Commentary

• BuzzFlash.com: The Death and Resurrection of "Chemical Ali"

Ali Hassan al-Majid Blogs

• Guardian Unlimited: Podcast Blog: Michael Howard on Chemical Ali
• Telegraph Blog: Andrew McKie: Obituaries for criminals
• Technorati: Ali Hassan al-Majid

Ali Hassan al-Majid Photos and Videos

• NBC Video: 'Chemical Ali' questioned (2004)
• MSNBC: Ali Hassan al-Majid photos

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