Gen. Ali Hassan al Majid, or "Chemical Ali," has been placed by his cousin Saddam Hussein in charge of military activities in southern Iraq.
Considered a war criminal by human rights groups, Majid commanded the 1988 chemical weapons attacks on the Kurds.
He also oversaw the brutal occupation of Kuwait in 1990 and 1991. After the 1991 war, he commanded the Republican Guard divisions that brutally put down a rebellion by Shi'ites in Iraq's southern marshlands.
"He is a senior adviser to Saddam. He is known as an enforcer for the regime," said a U.S. intelligence official, who asked not to be named. "He is used to put down uprisings and maintain order." [1]
Links
- Saddam ready to kill Iraqis By Rowan Scarborough of The Washington Times