Ali Hassan al-Majid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ali Hassan al-Majid
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Ali Hassan al-Majid at an investigative hearing in 2004
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علي حسن عبد المجيد التكريتي
30 November 1941 Tikrit, Kingdom of Iraq
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| Died | 25 January 2010 (aged 68) |
| Cause of death | Executed by hanging |
| Known for | Iraqi Defense Minister, Interior Minister, military commander and chief of the Iraqi Intelligence Service |
| Relatives | Saddam Hussein (first cousin, deceased) |
Ali Hassan Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (Arabic: علي حسن عبد المجيد التكريت, romanized: ʿAlī Ḥasan ʿAbd al-Majīd al-Tikrītī; 30 November 1941 – 25 January 2010) was an important Iraqi politician and military leader. He worked closely with Saddam Hussein, who was his cousin. Ali Hassan al-Majid held several powerful jobs, including defence minister, interior minister, and head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service. People often called him Chemical Ali (Arabic: علي الكيمياوي, romanized: ʿAlī al-Kīmīawī) because of his actions during certain military campaigns. He was also the governor of Kuwait for a time during the 1990–91 Gulf War.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Ali Hassan al-Majid was born in 1941 near Tikrit, in a place called al-Awja. He was part of the Al-Bu Nasir tribe, just like his older cousin, Saddam Hussein. Saddam later gave many important government jobs to people from his family and tribe. Like Saddam, Ali Hassan al-Majid came from a family that wasn't rich and didn't have much formal education.
He started working in the Iraqi Army in 1959, first as a motorcycle messenger and then as a driver. His career changed a lot after the Ba'ath Party took control of Iraq in 1968. After that, he was able to join the Military Academy and became an officer.
His rise in power was very quick, helped by his cousin Saddam. In the early 1970s, he became an assistant to Iraq's defense minister. Later, he became the head of the government's Security Office, helping Saddam gain more control. In 1979, Saddam Hussein became the leader of Iraq.
Ali Hassan al-Majid became one of Saddam's closest military advisors. He also led the Iraqi Intelligence Service, which was a powerful government agency.
The Anfal Campaign
During the later parts of the Iran–Iraq War, Ali Hassan al-Majid was put in charge of the northern region of Iraq. This area had many Kurdish people, and some groups there were resisting the government. He was known for being very strict.
He was given the nickname "Chemical Ali" because of his role in a harsh military campaign called Al-Anfal. This campaign involved using certain weapons against Kurdish areas. His goal was to stop the resistance by targeting the people living in these regions.
By 1988, many villages had been destroyed, and a large number of Kurdish people were killed or forced to leave their homes. This campaign caused a lot of suffering for the Kurdish population.
Roles in Later Conflicts
After the Iran–Iraq War ended in 1988, Ali Hassan al-Majid became the Minister of Local Government. In this role, he was responsible for moving Arab settlers into Kurdish and Assyrian areas.
Two years later, in August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Ali Hassan al-Majid became the military governor of Kuwait while it was under Iraqi control. In November 1990, he returned to Baghdad and was made Interior Minister in March 1991. Later, he was also given the job of Defense Minister.
Later Life and Death
Ali Hassan al-Majid was arrested by American forces in August 2003 in Basra. He was later put on trial for his actions during the Anfal campaign.
In June 2007, he was found responsible for the harm caused to the Kurds during the 1980s. He received a severe punishment and was put to death on January 25, 2010. He was buried near Saddam Hussein's family in al-Awja.
See also
In Spanish: Alí Hasán al Mayid para niños
