IRAQI CHEMICAL WARFARE TACTICS POLICY AND DOCTRINE

File: 123096_jun96_decls3_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 5

Subject: IRAQI CHEMICAL WARFARE TACTICS POLICY AND DOCTRINE              

Unit: VII CORPS   

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box  ID: BX000203

Folder Title: MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS                                                                            

Document Number:         42

Folder Seq  #:         54


                                                           5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(1)









                                        BO, VI I CORPS
                                          APO HY 09107


                TAB H TO APPENDIX 10 TO ANNEX B TO VII CORPS OPLAN DESERT SABER (U)
                Iraqi Chemical Warfare (CW) Tactics, Policy and Doctrine (U)
                1. X                   BACKGROM. In 1964, Iraq established the Iraqi Army
                Chemical Corps. Shortly thereafter, the Soviet Union provided Iraq a great
                deal of NBC protective equipment and training. A little over a year later,
                reports began to circulate that Iraq was using toxic agents against the Kurds,
                within their own country. These agents were believed to be riot control
                compounds; however, there were indications in the mid to late 1980's that Iraq
                was Interested In developing both chemical and biological warfare agents,
                possibly for use against the Kurds. Initial agent research and development
                took place at a facility near galmat Pak (3306NO443SE) in association with the
                Al Hazen Institute. This work was transferred to a larger facility at Samarra
                (335ON04350E) in the early 1980's. This facility, originally referred to by
                the Iraqi'g as the State Establishment for Pesticide Production is the primary
                xite for agent production, weaponization, and storage. In 1983, Iraq began
                tieing mustard agent; and In March of 1084 became the first nation ever
                confirmed to have used a nerve agent in a conflict. Iraq continued to use
                chemical agents until the cease fire.

                2. (U) POLICY AND PTtOCEDURE9

                      a.                      Policy. Iraq clearly used chemical weapons as a
                means to car;y out Its military goals In Its war with Iran, and may now view
 an integral part of conventional warfare. Saddam Husayn will authorize
                initial release of chemical weapons. However, during the Iran/Iraq war he
                delegated this authority to corps commanders. Based on analysis of the
                Iran/Iraq war chemical release was passed by one of three means:

                      personally from senior to subordinate commanders.
                      by secure telephone,
                      or by courier.

                Radio communications concerning the release of chemical weapons are forbidden;
                however, Corps and division commanders are authorized to request chemical
                weapons release by radio if they are in I @ nent danger of being overrun or
                defeated. Courier is preferred in this instance.

                      b. (U) Procedures.

                             (1)                     Chemical planning is an integral part of
                all planned combat operations. During its war with Iran, Iraq successfully
                employed chemical munitions with two objectives in mind. First, to support
                offensive operations. by using preparatory fires to disrupt command and
                control, logistics, and counter battery fires. And second, to breakup Iranian
                attacks, thereby providing time to reorganize and mount a counter attack. In
                                          B-10-H-1    5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(1)

Document 5 f:/Week-23/BX000203/MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS/iraqi chemical warfare tactics policy and doctri:12179611150410
Control Fields 17
File Room = jun96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-23
Box ID = BX000203
Unit = VII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
Folder Seq # = 54
Subject = IRAQI CHEMICAL WARFARE TACTICS POLICY AND DOCTRI
Document Seq # = 42
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996