Region | Iraq
Chemical Ali hanged as bombs rock Iraq
People fear election isssue will worsen security situation
- By Layelle Saad, GCC & Middle East Editor
- Published: 00:00 January 26, 2010
Dubai: The infamous "Chemical Ali", Saddam Hussain's right-hand man responsible for killing an estimated 182,000 Kurds in the 1980s, was abrubtly hanged on Monday as three massive car bombs ripped through Baghdad in a sign of growing tension ahead of the upcoming elections.
Ali Hassan Al Majid, a cousin of former Iraqi leader, was handed his fourth death sentencing last week for the gassing of 5,000 Kurds in the town of Halabja in 1988.
"The death sentence against Ali Hassan Al Majid has been carried out today [Monday]. Everyone abided by the government's instructions and the convicted was not subjected to any breach, chanting, abuse words, or insults," said spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh in a statement.
His execution had been delayed several times due to legal rambling, but was finally carried out without prior announcement.
Meanwhile, more than 36 people were killed and 71 wounded as three coordinated car bombs ripped through Baghdad, targeting several hotels.
New tactics
The first bomb struck near the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in Abu Nawaz, close to where a giant statue of Saddam was symbolically toppled almost seven years ago, at around 3.30pm (1230 GMT), an interior ministry official said.
The second and third blasts just minutes later targeted the Babylon Hotel in the central district of Karrada and the Hamra hotel in Jadriyah, in the south of the capital, he added.
Insurgents, weakened in the past year, have in the past six months changed tactics to hit "hard" targets rather than so-called soft-ones in civilian areas.
Election worries
Many people fear that Iraq's recent decision to bar more than 500 candidates with suspected Ba'athist ties from the upcoming election would only complicate the security situation and increase sectarianism at a time when Iraq needs to come together more than ever as the US is set to fully withdraw from Iraq by the end of next year.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meanwhile linked the three blasts to Iraq's election, and praised Iraqis for their "courage" in their quest for democracy.
"We unfortunately believe that there will be continued efforts by the terrorists — by Al Qaida in Iraq, in particular — to try to upend the commitment of the Iraqi people towards a democratic future," Clinton said.
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