Followup on previous stories here with latest news on confirmation.
The prospect that Ali Hassan al-Majid, the cousin of Saddam Hussein widely known as "Chemical Ali", may have been killed by Allied forces was one of several factors which tipped the balance in favour of British forces entering Basra yesterday. British military sources confirmed yesterday that the corpse of the bodyguard of Majid, who allegedly ordered the gassing of thousands of Kurds in Halabja in 1988 and many other war crimes, was found in the wreckage of a destroyed Basra building. Another military source said that although the body of Majid had not been found, many civilians in the area believed he had been killed in the building, attacked after he was seen entering it on Friday. About 20 Iraqi officials and others are believed to have been killed in the strike. Military officials said civilians were less fearful of the regime after the apparent elimination of Majid, and so likely to be more warmly disposed to an incursion of British troops. There were unconfirmed reports of a demonstration in one part of the city celebrating his death.
So at least someone thinks his corpse has been found.
"Now, lookee here, Bob. It can't be just the bodyguard, unless he had 14 toes."
"Lemme see them toes, Albert. Why, bless my soul! Lookit dat! See?"
"See what?"
"These three, they're definitely darker than those eleven."
"Hmmm... I think they might go with this elbow..." |
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