◆ SpookStack

1631-HQ-1462938 weapons to KHAITRALLAH and KHAZRAJI, and they used these weapons at Halabja. According to AZIZ, HUSSEIN did not specifically order the chemical weapons attack on Halabja, but was notified afterwards. HUSSEIN told AZIZ, "Halabja was not my decision. It was in the hands of KHAIRALLAH and KHAZRAJI." At one point afterwards, HUSSEIN said the chemical weapons attack was not necessary. HUSSEIN was "bothered" by the attack because of the international ramifications and "outcry" from the world community. AZIZ noted HUSSEIN did not punish, reprimand, or remove either KHAIRALLAH or KHAZRAJI from their positions. Normally, this would have been his response when someone's actions reflected negatively on him. AZIZ is unsure whether the lack of punitive action by HUSSEIN implied his post-event approval. [AZIZ interview, February 2, 2004]. According to SABIR, Halabja fell under Iranian control and the city of Suleimaniyeh was being threatened. SABIR and his Deputy, WAFIQ AL SAMARAI (phonetic), were traveling to the Suleimaniyeh area to check on their military positions when an intelligence officer advised them of the chemical weapons attack on Halabja. Once he learned of the attack, SABIR traveled to the city of Kirkuk and met with KHAZRAJI. During this meeting, KHAZRAJI told SABIR that KHATRALLAH, who was in Kirkuk with KHAZRAJI, had just received orders from President HUSSEIN to launch a chemical weapons attack on Halabja. Once KHAIRALLAH received the orders, he telephoned the Commander of the Air Force, HAMEED SHA'ABIN AL-TIKRITI (hereinafter AL-TIKRITI), and ordered him to launch the chemical weapons attack on Halabja. SABIR advised that the Air Force planes that conducted the cw attack on Halabja were from the Al Bakr Base. SABIR learned from the other detainees that detainee HAMID RAJA SHALAH AL-TIKRITI was the Air Force Squadron Commander Stationed at the Al Bakr Base who led the Air Force planes that conducted the cw attack on Halabja. [SABIR interview, June 11, 2004]. SABIR was under the impression Halabja was under Iranian control, and was not aware of a number of Iraqi citizens still residing within the city during the chemical weapons attack. SABIR claimed the decision to utilize chemical weapons on Halabja came quickly, and the DMI was not consulted. 63