Genocidal 'Chemical Ali' to hang

"Chemical Ali" is going to the gallows, a small consolation for the people of Iraqi Kurdistan who lost 180,000 in the Anfal genocide. During the trial a taped conversation between Ali (who is Saddam Hussein's cousin) and Saddam was played:

"'I will strike them with chemical weapons and kill them all and damn anyone who is going to say anything,' a voice identified by prosecutors as 'Chemical Ali' Hassan al-Majeed is heard saying.

'Yes it's effective, especially on those who don't wear a mask immediately, as we understand,' a voice identified as Saddam is heard saying on another tape.

'Sir, does it exterminate thousands?' a voice asks back.

'Yes, it exterminates thousands and forces them not to eat or drink and they will have to evacuate their homes without taking anything with them, until we can finally purge them,' the voice identified as Saddam answers."

Kurds are rightly frustrated that the verdict today doesn't relate to Halabja, the chemical-gas attack that killed 5,000 townspeople in March 1988, leaving the streets littered with bodies including mothers clutching their children. (Many graphic photos of the slaughter and accounts can be found here, and I encourage everyone to learn more about this dark moment in history, and the darkest deeds of Saddam and crew.