Iraqi chemical attacks against Iran

An original bomb casing used as flower pot at the Halabja Memorial Monument in 2011

Victims of Halabja chemical bombing

An officer of the U.S.

Iraqi Chemical Attacks Against Iran

The Iraqi chemical attacks against Iran refer to a series of military actions involving the use of chemical warfare by Iraq against Iran during the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988. These attacks are among the most notorious examples of the use of chemical weapons in modern warfare, highlighting the devastating impact of such weapons on soldiers and civilians alike.

Background

The Iran-Iraq War was initiated by Iraq on September 22, 1980, with the aim of weakening the Iranian regime, which had been established following the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The conflict quickly escalated into a full-scale war, characterized by its length, casualty rate, and use of chemical weapons. The use of chemical weapons in this conflict marked one of the first instances since the First World War where such weapons were deployed on a large scale.

Chemical Weapons Used

Iraq employed a variety of chemical agents against Iranian forces and Kurdish insurgents within its own borders. These included mustard gas, a blister agent that causes severe chemical burns; nerve agents like sarin and tabun, which disrupt the nervous system leading to death; and tear gas for crowd control or to disorient enemy forces. The deployment of these weapons had devastating effects on the health and environment of the affected areas.

International Response

The international community's response to Iraq's use of chemical weapons was muted during the conflict. This was partly due to geopolitical considerations, as many Western and Arab countries supported Iraq as a counterbalance to the perceived threat of Iranian fundamentalism. It was not until after the war that the full extent of the chemical attacks was acknowledged and condemned by the international community.

Aftermath

The long-term effects of the chemical attacks have been profound. Many survivors of the attacks continue to suffer from serious health issues, including respiratory problems, skin disorders, and cancers. The environmental impact has also been significant, with contaminated areas remaining hazardous.

The use of chemical weapons in the Iran-Iraq War led to increased international efforts to control and eventually ban such weapons. This culminated in the signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993, which outlawed the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

Legacy

The Iraqi chemical attacks against Iran remain a dark chapter in the history of modern warfare, serving as a stark reminder of the horrors of chemical warfare. They underscore the importance of international norms and treaties in preventing the use of weapons of mass destruction. The legacy of these attacks continues to influence global attitudes towards chemical weapons and their prohibition.