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1620s464.dst 15 March 1990 Subject: Iraq a. Iraq's success in producing its own CW agents was the result of a program that began in the early to mid-1970's. Although the Iraqi CW program was probably initiated to develop a capability to counter a percieved Israeli CW threat, it proved useful in defeating, or at least stalling, Iranian ground attacks. Apparently the program began with iraqi personnel who had been trained abroad, with the intention of developing a capability using only Iraqi resources. By theonset of the war with Iran the program had not progressed far enough to meet Iraqi needs; thus Iraq was forced to rely heavily on foreign technical assistance, equipment, and precursor chemicals. Although some reliance still exists, Iraq is rapidly becoming independent in making CW agents. b. Agent research and the development of production capabilities began at a facility southeast of Baghdad near Salman Pak *** This work was transferred to a larger facility north of Baghdad and southwest of Samarra. This facility *** is the primary site for agent production, weaponization, and storage. *** Three other CW-related facilities are located a short distance southwest of the Samarra facility. US analysts refer to them as Habbaniyah I, II, and III. *** The Habbaniyah facilities are believed to be for the production of precursor chemicals from raw materials available within Iraq. it is also possible that some agent production could take place here. c. The Iraqis have successfully produced and weaponized large quantities of the blister agent sulfur mustard and the nerve agents tabun, sarin, and GF. Intelligence estimates of the monthly Iraqi agent capabilities are on the order of 150 tonnes of sulfur mustard, 5 to 10 tonnes of tabun, and 20 tonnes of sarin. Production of GF has not been estimated but could be similar to that of sarin. The riot control agent CS, which was used on the bsttlefiled, was also produced at Samarra. More recently the Iraqis may have begun the production of the nerve agent VX, but quantities cannot be estimated. The Iraqis have shown an interest in other agents, but it is not known if this interest has progressed past the research stage. d. The Iraqis have adapted a number of conventional munitions for the delivery of chemical agents (figure 11). An example is the Spanish-made 250-kg white phosporus bomb used to deliver mustard and nerve agents. The bombs were purchased without the fill and were subsequently filled with the CW agents. the same holds true for other munitions; none of those purchased were originally designed for CW agents. In addition to 250- and 500-kg aerial bombs, the Iraqis have filled and used 90-mm air-to-ground rockets; 82- and 120-mm mortar rounds; various artillery projectiles; and 122-mm artillery rockets, which had agent-filled plastic containers in the warheads. The potential also exists for the filling of submunition-type warheads and bombs (table III below). e. Iraqi's long term approach to a CW program, the massive infusion of technical assistance from foreign companies and individuals, and the experience gained in the Iran-Iraq war have resulted in an offensive capability that is pre-eminent in the Middle East region. In fact, very few countries in the world have a CW capability that approaches Iraq.
Table III. CW Agents and Munitions -- Iraq AGENTS MUNITIONS Sulfur mustard* Aerial Bombs Tabun Mortar Shells Sarin Artillery shells GF Artillery rockets Possible: VX Aerial rockets * -- also on a dust.
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