I have written about Saddam’s regime being a state-sponsor of terrorism several times over the past 6 years. However, there is a fairly new report out, which details the evidence of his ties to terrorism, and his regime’s direct terror operations, based upon analysis of the millions of documents found in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion.
Here is an extract from the report relating to a Fedayeen Saddam response to orders from Uday Hussein that terror operations abroad be taken against Iraqi exiles.
Extract 1
[May 1999]
My respects and regards, sir:
Referr[ing] to your Excellency’s orders on the days of 20-25 May 1999, to
start planning from now on to perform special operations (assassinationslbombings)
in the centers of the traitors’ symbols in the fields of LondonlIranJself-
ruled areas, and for coordination with the Intelligence service
to secure deliveries, accommodations, and target guidance.
[Continued]
1
The classification markings are original to the Iraqi documents and do not reflect current u.s. classification.
[Continued}
I would also like to go over here the orders that were issued by you during
the first and second meetings with your Excellency, which lay the groundwork
for the success of these operations.
Codename of the special operations is BLESSED JULY
The duties will be divided into two branches, which are:
A- Bombings
B - Assassinations
The execution order for Jordan is canceled.
Reminding members who are captured in the European area to use
death capsules on themselves.
Execution Steps:
Select 50 Fedayeen martyrs according to the required specifications.
Admit them to the Intelligence School to prepare them for their
duties.
After passing their tests they will be selected for their targets as
follows:
The top ten will work in the European field - London.
The second ten will work in the Iranian field.
The third ten will work in the self-ruled [Kurdish] area.
After passing the [mal test the Fedayeen will be sent as undercover passengers,
each one according to his work site.
This is clearly instructions for a black operation abroad, and inside Iraq as well. However, there is a great deal more happening in Iraq during the 12 years leading up to the Iraq war.
Here is a Iraqi Intelligence Service response to Saddam's request to know what weapons Iraq had cached overseas.
Extract 2
[July 2002]
Subject: Weapons Information:
1. We would like to inform you of the following:
Romania - Missile launcher and missile
Athens [Greece] - Explosive charges
Vienna [Austria] - Explosive charges, rifles with silencers, hand grenades,
and Kalashnikov rifles
Pakistan - Explosive materials ofTNT
India - Plastic explosive charges and booby-trapped suitcases
Thailand - Plastic explosive charges and booby-trapped suitcases
Prague [Czech] - Missile launcher and missile
Turkey - Missile launcher, missile, and pistols with silencers
Sana’a [Yemen] - Missile launcher, missile, plastic explosives and explosive
charges
Baku [Azerbaijan] - American missile launcher, plastic explosives and
booby-trapped suitcases
Beirut [Lebanon] - American missile launcher, plastic explosives and
booby-trapped suitcases
Gulf nations - Explosive material outside the embassies
2. Between the year 2000 and 2002 … explosive materials were transported to
the embassies outside Iraq for special work, upon the approval of the Director
of the Iraqi Intelligence Service. The responsibility for these materials is in the
hands of heads of stations. Some of these materials were transported in the political
mail carriers [Diplomatic Pouch]. Some of these materials were transported
by car in booby-trapped briefcases.
How about Saddam’s program to standardize, certify, and train the use of explosives?
In addition to supplying arms to Iraq’s overseas missions, the lIS
managed a research and production capability for high-technology bombs, components,
and silencers. In a series of memoranda dated 4 September 1999, various
elements of the lIS report on coordinating the production, testing, and delivery of a sophisticated car bomb using military-grade explosives. Brief summaries of four
documents in particular capture the almost routine process surrounding the manufacture
of car bombs:
1. A request from lIS Section 27 to lIS Directorate 6 for 40 kilograms of
RDX, primer-cord, advanced detonators and other materials. 14
2. An approval memorandum from lIS Directorate 4 to Section 27 to load
a vehicle with 50 to 75 kilograms of explosive material and provide to
the At Ta’mim Intelligence Branch [M52] for a “special duty.,,15
3. A follow-up memorandum from the senior engineer for lIS Section 27
to his director confirming that his Top Secret-Confidential-andUrgent
job number 2/1999/20 has been completed. The memorandum
included such details as the final explosive charge weight (56 kilograms),
and the fact that the device had a 30-minute electronic timer
and came equipped with a hidden safety switch. The explosives were
disguised as washing detergent packets and the detonator was hidden
in a pack of cigarettes. Finally, the engineer notes that the “abovementioned
bombs” were delivered to the “beneficiary representative”
[an lIS agent] according to the “special forms” with a “full explanation
about the detonating method, storing, and transportation.”
4. To complete the car bomb task, the lIS staff officer includes a collection
of “special forms” as part of the mission documentation. For example:
a. The Duty Assignment Confirmation Form where the engineer and
the lIS agent account for the exchange,
b. The Inspection Certificate Form that verifies the car bomb meets
chemical, electrical, and mechanical standards and is “ready to
execute the duty.”
c. A Duty Delivery Form that certifies the training of the operator and
provides the bomb warranty as good for “only one month from
date of delivery” as well as a recommendation that they use a
Duracell battery instead of an everyday version “for the impor-
tance of the duty.”
Or maybe Saddam’s order to create suicide operations as a regular part of his regime’s arsenal well prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Extract 6.
[ca. 17-19 September 2001]
Presidency of the Republic
The General Military Intelligence DirectorateWe refer to the top secret letter of the Military Intelligence Command of 6
and the top secret letter of the Military Branch Command of Baghdad of
Sept 2001. The section command discussed a meeting held on 2 Sept 2001
28 August 2001, which stated that the Division Commands should launch a
campaign among their members, supporters, and backers of the Party encouraging
them to volunteer in suicide operations, and have them write
volunteer statements, preferably III theIr blood
Beyond these extracts, there is evidence in the report of Saddam’s material and logistical support for foreign terror groups, including training camps in Iraq. Read the report.
