Official Document of Chemical Attack – 1983

Official Iraqi Government Document – Order to Use Chemical Weapons in 1983

This classified official document, stamped by the Republic of Iraq, is dated December 4, 1983. It was issued by the “General Command of the Armed Forces – Secretariat” and sent to the “Chemical Corps Directorate.” Its content explicitly concerns the use of “chemical agents,” referring to chemical weapons. which is stated in the contents of the document :

1. Utilize and leverage existing chemical agent production to achieve a broad strike force when necessary.
2. Exert all possible efforts to rapidly manufacture toxic agents in large quantities for use as a sudden deterrent against enemy forces and concentrations in the main city. Such component should possess a high destructive capacity.

Analysis of the Document’s Content and Dimensions:

1. Confidentiality Level and Issuing Authority:

The document is marked “Top Secret and Personal,” indicating the highest level of classification, reflecting the extreme sensitivity of its content. It states that the order is from the “President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces” — a position held by Saddam Hussein at the time. This means the document is a direct order from Saddam himself to use chemical weapons.

2. Subject Matter – Use of Chemical Weapons:

In the first paragraph, the document calls for the use of the “current stockpile of chemical agents.” It also mentions the need for training and preparation for their deployment. The second paragraph authorizes the filling of bombs with chemical substances to be used against the enemy if necessary.

3. Purpose of Use:

The purpose of use is stated in the context of confronting enemy border threats and preventing possible attacks. However, words like “to respond to enemy mobilizations” are very general and it can be inferred that this authorization can also be considered for the tactical and offensive use of chemical weapons at the field level, as we have seen, thousands of civilians were subjected to chemical attacks, especially in Kurdistan.

4. Date and Historical Context – Iran-Iraq War:

In December 1983, Iraq was in the midst of the Iran-Iraq War. Iraq increasingly turned to banned weaponry to counter Iranian advances. This document is a key piece of evidence showing that chemical warfare was not rogue behavior but part of official military policy at the highest levels.

5. Legal Context under International Law:

This document constitutes a clear violation of the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use of chemical weapons. As a signed directive by Saddam Hussein, it serves as potential legal evidence in international courts to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Conclusion:

This document confirms a direct and official order by Saddam Hussein in December 1983 to use chemical weapons. It not only authorizes their use but urges immediate training and operational readiness. As such, it is a critical piece of documentary evidence in the legal and historical pursuit of accountability for the Ba’ath regime’s crimes, including the use of weapons of mass destruction.