Location: Amiriyah, Baghdad

Short Descriptor: Storage of BW seed stocks; genetic engineering

Details:

In 1990, additional BW research locations were obtained at the Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Institute at Daura and apparently the Agriculture and Water Resources Center at Fudhaliyah. Research on viruses was started by Dr. Hazem Ali and genetic engineering with Ali Nuria Abdel Hussein. The logic and intent for the selection of camelpox virus, hemorrhagic conjunctivitis virus, and rotavirus are not stated in the full, final, and complete disclosure (FFCD). The objectives for the genetic engineering unit are not elaborated upon, although the testimony of Dr. Rihab Taha has indicated that, initially, antibiotic resistant strains of Bacillus anthracis spores were to have been derived. Any relationship with that of the genetic engineering section of Al-Muthanna housed at the Serum and Vaccine Institute at Amiriyah under the direction of Dr. Al-Za'ag is denied by the Iraqis.

UNSCOM assesses that the declared role for the facility may be correct.

Other Information:

...Summary: [deleted] Several sites in Iraq with the capability to produce and store BW weapons. Although the capability exists, no evidence of current production or storage was found. Enclosures. Text 1. Background [deleted] suspected biological warfare sites. Among the sites were the Al-Kindi company, An-Najaf, Taji, the Serum and Vaccine institute, the Agriculture Research and Water Resources Center, and the Ibn Haithan institute.... [1]

....Iraqi BW Facilities... 9. Sera and Vaccine Institute, Baghdad. [deleted?]
It is probably the Abu Ghraib Serum and Vaccine plant. In the summer of 1990, this facility attempted to purchase a strain of anthrax from a UK firm. [2]

Key Sources:
[1] GulfLINK, "Suspect BW Sites in Iraq," DIA, October 1991, File: 961031_950719_60210003_92d.txt.
[2] GulfLINK, "Iraqi BW," CIA, June 1991, File: cia_62839_62839_01.txt.

	Updated February 2006