CW WEAPONS IRAN/IRAQ

File: cia_62671_62671_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 1
Subject: CW WEAPONS IRAN/IRAQ      
Not Finally Evaluated Intelligence       
       
TO FACILITATE ELECTRONIC ACCESS, THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN       
REFORMATTED TO ELIMINATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT PERTAIN       
TO GULF WAR ILLNESS ISSUES OR THAT IS CLASSIFIED. A COPY OF       
THIS REDACTED DOCUMENT, IN ORIGINAL FORMAT, IS AVAILABLE ON       
REQUEST.   
 
SEP 90 
 
COUNTRY: IRAN/IRAQ 
SUBJ:  REPORT ON THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS 
DURING THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR 

DOI: FEBRUARY 1989 
 
 
SUMMARY: THIS REPORT CONTAINS FRAGMENTARY INFORMATION ON 
IRAQI USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS DURING THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR, AND 
ON IRANIAN USE IN RESPONSE. 
TEXT: 1. IRAQ USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS VERY OFTEN DURING THE 
WAR WITH IRAN, DURING EVERY MAJOR DEFENSIVE BATTLE.  FOR 
EXAMPLE, CHEMICAL WEAPONS WERE USED DURING THE BATTLE FOR 
THE CITY OF HALABACHE IN ABOUT AUGUST 1987.  THE CITY HAD 
BEEN CAPTURED BY IRAN, AND IRAQ HAD HEAVILY ATTACKED IT WITH 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN AN EFFORT TO RETAKE IT.  THE CHEMICAL 
WEAPONS WERE DELIVERED PRIMARILY FROM AIRCRAFT, WERE OF AN 
UNKNOWN TYPE (NOT CLUSTER BOMBS), AND PRODUCED WHITE CLOUDS 
WHICH LOOKED LIKE DENSE SMOKE.  MASS CASUALTIES WERE 
INFLICTED (NO FURTHER INFORMATION).  THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT 
AND THE MILITARY WERE AGREED THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO USE 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS, BUT THEY FELT THEY WERE FORCED TO IN 
RETALIATION FOR IRAQI ATTACKS. 
IRAN USED CHEMICALS ONLY "ONCE OR TWICE," HOWEVER, ON TROOP 
CONCENTRATIONS AND WITH LITTLE EFFECT. 
 
 
ATHOUGH THIS USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS  WAS IN RETALIATION FOR 
IRAQI USE OF SAME, THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY 
EXPLOITED THE INCIDENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA BY 
CONDEMNING THE IRIAF'S EMPLOYMENT OF CHEMICALS AGAINST IRAQI 
TROOPS.)  
 
 
1.5 (C) 

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