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FAS | Nuke | Guide | Iraq | CW |||| Index | Search | Join FAS Chemical Weapons Programs Iraq started research into the production of chemical weapons agents in the 1970s and started batch production of agents in the early 1980s. At that stage, production was heavily reliant on the import of precursor chemicals from foreign suppliers. In 1982, early in the Iran-Iraq War, the Iraqis used riot control agents to repel Iranian attacks. They progressed to the use of CW agents in mid-1983 with mustard, and in March 1984 with tabun (the first use ever of a nerve...

Germany sold tonnes of chemicals to Syria which were capable of being put to military use. … The chemicals sold have a dual use—they can be used for both military and non-military purposes. They include hydrogen fluoride, ammonium hydrogen fluoride and sodium cyanide. The export of the chemicals is restricted but not illegal, the Süddeutsche newspaper reported, as they are used in industry. … Germany’s government said Syria told them the chemicals would be used for industrial purposes. The government added it had established that the chemicals would not be put to military use before they were exported. …

<p>Greenville County sheriff's deputies were called to the old Anderson Road area near Carolina High School to investigate what may be some of the five cylinders containing a highly poisonous gas stolen from a Greenville welding company last month.</p> <p>Sgt. James McCann, Sheriff's Office spokesman, said a caller reported seeing canisters this morning and first called Anderson County Sheriff's Office, whose deputies then called Greenville.</p>

Stolen Chemical A Big Potential Hazard Hazmat Teams Prepare For Hydrogen Fluoride To Be Found Posted: 3:11 p.m. EDT July 1, 2002 Updated: 10:00 a.m. EDT July 3, 2002 GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The whereabouts 500 pounds of a dangerous chemical and the people who stole it were still a mystery Tuesday to Greenville County, state and federal authorities.Investigators are concerned about finding the material and about what might happen when they do. The five navy blue cylinders of hydrogen fluoride were taken from National Welders Supply on White Horse Road sometime Thursday night or Friday morning. Company managers said they...