Why did Saddam Hussein use weapons of mass destruction against Kurdish people and Shiite Muslims?

Question

Ezra Adkins · Accepted Answer

He never used any of them

Colin Powell admitted that weapons of mass destruction were only a pretext to justify the invasion of Iraq.

Clara Almanzar · Answer

undefined Saddam Hussein's use of weapons of mass destruction against Kurdish people and Shiite Muslims can be attributed to various factors. One primary reason was his desire to maintain power and control over Iraq. Hussein viewed these groups as threats to his regime and sought to suppress any opposition or rebellion by using extreme measures, including chemical weapons.

Additionally, Hussein's regime aimed to assert dominance and maintain control over certain regions within Iraq, particularly areas inhabited by minority groups like the Kurds and Shiite Muslims. The use of chemical weapons served as a brutal tactic to instill fear, quash dissent, and deter resistance from these communities.

Furthermore, Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime pursued a policy of Arabization, seeking to enforce Arab cultural and political dominance over Iraq, which included suppressing the cultural and linguistic identities of minority groups such as the Kurds. The use of chemical weapons was part of this broader strategy to suppress Kurdish aspirations for autonomy or independence.

Moreover, Saddam Hussein's actions were influenced by geopolitical considerations and the Iran-Iraq War. During the conflict, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, Iraq faced significant challenges from Iran, particularly given the Shiite Muslim majority in Iran. The use of chemical weapons against Kurdish and Shiite populations can be seen as part of Hussein's efforts to destabilize internal opposition and weaken Iran's support among these communities.

Overall, Saddam Hussein's use of weapons of mass destruction against Kurdish people and Shiite Muslims was driven by a combination of factors, including his desire for power and control, suppression of dissent and opposition, enforcement of Arabization policies, and geopolitical considerations related to regional conflicts.