Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, states that there is no doubt that Iraqi commanders will use chemical weapons against Shiites in southern Iraq and will blame it on U.S. forces. American media reports that Washington has received information indicating that Iraqi commanders intend to deploy chemical weapons against Shiites in southern Iraq. In response to a question from a Fox News reporter, he expressed significant concern regarding these reports. He stated that the world knows Saddam Hussein has previously used such weapons of mass destruction, and their renewed use at this time would prove that the Iraqi regime still possesses such weapons of mass destruction. U.S. and British military officials say that Iraqi forces are also resorting to guerrilla tactics to ambush coalition forces. Officials report that elite Iraqi soldiers are wearing civilian clothes and pretending to surrender to lure coalition forces closer to their positions to attack them.
Intent of Iraqi Commanders to Use Chemical Weapons Against Shiites in Iraq - 2003-03-25
Colin Powell warns that Iraqi commanders plan to use chemical weapons against Shiite populations in southern Iraq, potentially blaming U.S. forces for the attacks. This situation raises concerns about the ongoing capabilities of the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein and the tactics being employed against coalition forces.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Colin Powell warns that Iraqi commanders plan to use chemical weapons against Shiite populations in southern Iraq, potentially blaming U.S. forces for the attacks. This raises concerns about the Iraqi regime's capabilities and tactics against coalition forces.
- Iraqi commanders are reportedly planning to deploy chemical weapons against Shiites.
- U.S. and British officials indicate Iraqi forces are using guerrilla tactics against coalition troops.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The use of chemical weapons by Saddam Hussein's regime during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s is a historical precedent that raises serious concerns about human rights and military ethics.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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