Iraq v Iran (very interesting)

[kentuck]

A synopsis of the war between Iraq and Iran from an Arab perspective. Should be read by all to get a better understanding of that war.
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http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8153D75F-0804-4516-88CD-C6261A66A8E4.htm
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<snip>

According to Iraq, the Iran-Iraq war erupted on 4 September 1980, when the two countries exchanged artillery shelling along their 1300 km borders.

Days later, the UN called for a ceasefire. Iraq said it was ready to abide if Iran would do so, but Iran refused the offer and continued its shelling campaign.

Eighteen days later, the Iraqi military crossed the border and pushed into the Islamic republic hoping to push Iranian artillery beyond the range of Baghdad's borders.

However, Iran said the war began on 22 September, and not on the fourth. The actual start date of the war has been a point of contention between the two countries.

...much more

[kentuck]

1. Did Iraq really use chemical weapons ??

<snip> from above article

Iraq had repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the battlefield with Iran, and accused Iran of fabricating the news. But news from foreign news agencies and UN delegations which visited Iran during the war confirmed that Iranian soldiers suffered injuries due to chemical agents.

However, on 26 May, 1986, the Worldwide Television News agency quoted an Iraqi battlefield general who delivered what was tantamount to an admission; "If we are invaded by thousands of insects, we use repellent."

Iraqi acknowledged that they used chemical weapons in later stages of the war, but strongly denied that they were used against civilians. Iraq also accused Iran of using chemical weapons in its war against Iraq.

"It is known that Iran used chemical weapons against Iraq just as Iraq did, why should they complain and Iraq not? The problem is we do not have anyone to defend our rights at the present time," al-Muradi told Aljazeera.net.