Skip to main content
CNN International EditionWorld
The Web    CNN.com     
Powered by
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ON TV
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iraq Banner

British military: Body of 'Chemical Ali' found

image
Gen. Ali Hassan al-Majeed, also known as "Chemical Ali," was killed in a coalition airstrike, officials say.

Story Tools

SPECIAL REPORT
•  Commanders: U.S. | Iraq
•  Weapons: 3D Models

DOHA, Qatar (CNN) -- The notorious Iraqi general known as "Chemical Ali" -- Saddam Hussein's cousin who allegedly ordered a deadly chemical weapons attack against Kurds in 1988 -- was killed in a coalition airstrike on his home over the weekend, U.S.-led coalition officials said Monday.

Capt. Al Lockwood, a spokesman for the British military at U.S. Central Command, said the body of Gen. Ali Hassan al-Majeed had been found.

British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said there were "indications that that is the case," although he said he could not absolutely confirm it.

At the Pentagon, U.S. military authorities released video of the air assault on the home in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. It showed the first laser-guided bomb barely missing the target, and the second destroying it.

"We believe that the reign of terror of Chemical Ali has come to an end," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters.

Gen. Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said simply, "We believe we were successful with that strike."

Al-Majeed had been coordinating the resistance in southern Iraq, according to the coaltion. He is accused of ordering the attack against Kurds in northern Iraq in 1988, which killed about 5,000.

British military sources said al-Majeed's personal bodyguard, high-ranking Baath Party officials and other cousins of Saddam were also killed in the bombing.

The attack left the resistance in Basra "in disarray," the sources said, opening the way for British troops to move deep into the city and take up positions, facing little resistance along the way.


Story Tools
Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time! cover
Top Stories
Iran poll to go to run-off
Top Stories
EU 'crisis' after summit failure
 
 
 
 

CNN US
On CNN TV E-mail Services CNN Mobile CNN AvantGo CNNtext Ad info Preferences
SEARCH
   The Web    CNN.com     
Powered by
© 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us.
external link
All external sites will open in a new browser.
CNN.com does not endorse external sites.
 Premium content icon Denotes premium content.