I am often conflicted on the issue of the death penalty, however, this is one time I would gladly stand with the Kurds and witness the final moments in the lives of these truly evil men.

‘Chemical Ali’ to be hanged in Kurdistan

Saddam Hussein’s cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as “Chemical Ali,” and two other regime officials will probably be hanged in Kurdistan if the appeals court upholds their death sentences, an Iraqi official said Tuesday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not supposed to release the information to the media, said no final decision had been taken but the executions would probably take place in either Irbil or Halabja.

Also sentenced to death were Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Tai, the former defense minister who led the Iraqi delegation at the cease-fire talks that ended the 1991 Gulf War, and Hussein Rashid Mohammed, a former deputy director of operations for the Iraqi armed forces.

They were convicted Sunday of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for their roles in “Operation Anfal,” a 1987-88 crackdown on Iranian-backed Kurdish rebels during the final years of the Iran-Iraq war.

The prosecution said up to 180,000 Kurds — including women and children — died in chemical weapons attacks, artillery barrages and mass deportations.

The political process in Iraq may be painfully slower that we expected or would have preferred, but the judicial branch of their government is advancing with lightning speed and rendering quick and just punishment.

Imagine, 180,000 of your own people brutally murdered or deported by these thugs. If this conviction holds (which most seem to think is a given), the Kurds may finally have the revenge they deserve for this sadistic behavior once and for all.