Iraqi BW Capabilities Filename:0628rpt.91 Subject: Iraqi BW Capabilities SUMMARY The Iraqis have two confirmed biological warfare (BW) agents, anthrax and botulinum toxin, both of which are believed to be weaponized. Thus far, there is only one confirmed BW facility in Iraq [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] - the Salman Pak Chemical and BW (CBW) Research, Production, and Storage Facility. However, three suspect research or production facilities have recently been identified [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]are involved in the Iraqi BW program. In addition, 17 specially designed, refrigerated bunkers, possibly constructed to store or fill BW agent, have been confirmed.2 Two of these bunkers are at Salman Pak; the other 15 are at general-purpose ammunition storage depots throughout the country. Refrigerated trucks, identified in July 1990 at Salman Pak, could be used to transport BW material from the production facility. Iraq also possesses several potential delivery systems and platforms for dispersing BW agent. They are known to have acquired custom-built aerosol generators in the spring of 1990 which could effectively deliver a range of BW agents. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] [ b.2. ] 2-frame bunkers equipped with environmental control refrigeration will be referred to as special. (Reverse Blank) iii Iraqi BW Capabilities INTRODUCTION The Iraqis have expressed a desire to acquire BW weapons since at least the late 1970s. Since that time they have established the most extensive BW program in the Arab world, which gives them an operational capability on the battlefield. The Iraqis have two confirmed BW agents, anthrax and botulinum toxin, both of which are believed to be weaponized. The Iraqis are also known to be investigating Vibrio cholerae, Clostridium perfringens, plague, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B as potential BW agents. RESEARCH AND/OR PRODUCTION Four facilities have been identified [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] that have been reported to be involved in the Iraqi BW program (figure I and table 1). Currently, there is only one - Salman Pak CBW Research, Production, and Storage Facility - [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] reinforcing a BW association. The remaining three facilities - Taji Suspect BW Facility, Abu Ghurayb Vaccine Plant, and Abu Ghurayb Infant Formula Plant - are candidate facilities that have been identified through collateral reporting. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Salman Pak CBW Research, Production, and Storage Facility This facility is on a peninsula formed by a bend in the Tigris River. approximately 32 km southeast of the center of Baghdad and 3 km SSE of the town of Salman Pak (figure 2). It covers an area of about 3 square km and consists of five functional areas. The entire facility is double and/or triple fenced with entrances in the northeast and northwest corners. Salman Pak Unconventional Military Training Facility is collocated with the CBW facility; [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] The BW lab/processing area of Salman Pak is triple fenced and was constructed between 1980 and 1984. The wall-within-a-wall construction of the lab building [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] [ b.2. ] [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Name Abu Ghurayb Infant Formula Plant 2 Abu Ghurayb Vaccine Plant 3 Salman Pak CBW Rsch, Prod, & Stor Fac 4 Taji Suspect BW Fac Al Badre Poss Chem Wpns Test Fac [ (b)(2) ] required in a P4 facility [ b.2. ]. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Just west of the BW lab/processing area is the bunkered storage area. This area is triple fenced and contains 4 12- frame storage bunkers, [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] and protected on three sides by earth mounding. Each also has a concrete T-shaped entrance, probably equipped with an airlock; four lightning arresters, one in each corner; a small guard shack at the entrance; and stairs to the top of the bunker. A small, revetted, probable fuze/detonator storage building and a security building are also in the storage area. Two of these are special bunkers [ b.2. ]. The bunker in the southeast corner of the storage area has been equipped with a three-fan refrigeration unit since at least July 1983; the bunker in the southwest corner was similarly equipped in August 1989. The conversion of this second bunker in 1989 could mean that the Iraqis are producing BW agents on a larger scale, requiring more refrigerated storage space for the heat- sensitive BW agents/materials. The purpose of the other two bunkers is uncertain, but they also may be converted if further BW agent/material storage capacity is required. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Taji Suspect BW Facility Taji Suspect BW Facility is in the northeast corner of the Baghdad Military Complex Taji. The suspect facility is separately fence secured and consists of an administration/support area and a lab/processing area. The lab building has numerous vents/stacks and a probable incineration/waste disposal system. A pilot-scale fermentation plant was reportedly built at Taji several years ago. This facility is also reportedly equipped with a 450-1iter fermentation vessel. The lab building at the Taji Suspect BW Facility could easily house a fermenter of that size. A definite link has also been made between the reported Taji facility and an Iraqi BW front (cover) organization. Based on its location, the extensive security, and the presence of a lab building, the Taji Suspect BW Facility is the best candidate to be the Taji facility referred to in reports. Abu Ghurayb Vaccine Plant An innocuous vaccine plant, with 10 1,200-1iter fermenters, has been reported on the outskirts of Baghdad in the Abu Ghurayb area. Although the Abu Ghurayb Vaccine Facility has reportedly been active in recent years, its status and location are unknown. [ b.2. ] Abu Ghurayb Infant Formula Plant The Abu Ghurayb Infant Formula Plant, approximately 21 km west of the center of Baghdad, contains two large processing buildings and an unidentified building connected by catwalk to the processing buildings. An air-handling/filtration system and several vents are visible on the largest processing building. Heavy security, inconsistent with a facility producing infant formula, is maintained at this plant. In 1982, an infant formula plant was reportedly completed at Abu Ghurayb, about 25 km west of Baghdad. Reportedly, equipment in the plant includes 15 industrial fermenters and high-efficiency particulate filters used for the containment of biologically hazardous material. This equipment could easily be used for BW R&D and production. This facility has not been confirmed[ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]. STORAGE 12-Frame Storage Bunker [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] . Fifteen additional special 12-frame bunkers (like those at Salman Pak) have been identified [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] at 8 other locations. These bunkers received their cooling units sometime after 1982. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] There currently are 35 12-frame storage bunkers in Iraq. Seventeen of the 35 have probable refrigeration equipment and ductwork near/on the entrance. These are suspected of being associated with the Iraqi BW program and are discussed in this report (figure 9 and table 2). It should also be noted that these special bunkers could store chemical weapons, fuel-air explosives, or "smart weapons." Bunker Construction Sequence [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Table 2 Locations of Iraqi Special 12-Frame Storage Bunkers Ad Diwaniyah Ammo Stor Fac SW An Nasiriyah Ammo Stor Fac Sw Ash Shuaybah Ammo Stor Depot NE Falluja Ammo Depot S Karbala Depot & Ammo Stor Fac Kirkuh Ammo Depot W Salman Pak CBW Research Prod & Stor Fac 8 Tikrit Ammo Depot 9 Qababyah Special 12-Frame Stor Bkr [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Table 3 [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Cardoen cluster bomb units are known to have been successfully deployed in Iraq. Thev are one of the best candidates for disseminating BW agents because they provide wide-area coverage. The CBU-130 Ib releases 50 bomblets and the CBU-SOO Ib, 240 bomblets (Appendix 2); both can be carried on all modern tactical aircraft (Appendix 3). The bomblets cover an elliptical surface area of 10,000 to 45,000 square meters, depending on bomb size and operational employment. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] LOGISTICS [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] DELIVERY SYSTEMS The Iraqi BW agents have both tactical and nontactical uses. Biologically derived toxins, such as botulinum toxin, act in about the same time as mustard gas and could be used in tactical situations near the forward edge of the battleline. Botulinum has the added advantage of being relatively nonpersistent (several hours), thereby allowing attacking troops to occupy terrain shortly after its use. Artillery, aerial bombs, and spray devices are suitable for delivering toxins. Toxins could also be used by special forces or terrorists to selectively attack troop concentrations to the rear, command centers, or civilian populations. Infectious agents, such as anthrax, are more useful against large-area targets since they are more resistant to environmental factors. Anthrax can cover very large areas, especially when disseminated by aerosol generators or aerial spray devices. Cluster and unitary munitions and missile warheads can also be used to deliver BW agents. The Iraqis are known to have acquired 40 custom-built Mistral-2 aerosol generators [ b.2. ] in the spring of 1990. This device, with 10 different nozzle settings, Device/Munitions Chart Potential BW Delivery Systems Platforms Fighter/Bomber (Su-24/FENCER, Su-22/FlTTER, MiG 28/FLOGGER, Tu-22/BLlNDER Mirage F-l, Su-25/FROGFOOT Light Aircraft/Helicopters (PC-7, Mi-24/HlND, Mi-8/HlP) Naval Vessels (Osa I and 11, Bogomol, LCPA Hoverr Kuwaiti FFB-57, TNC-45 PTG, Winchester LCPA) Ground (Wheeled or tracked vehicles) Ground (MRL -122 mm; Artiller,v -180 mm, 152 mm, 155 mm; Mortars - 82 mm, 1 20 mm . 10 could be used to effectively deliver a range of BW agents. This apparatus consists of a motor, a pump, a cannon-type blower assembly, and storage areas for liquid and solid materials. This generator, also equipped with a hand- controlled spreader for manual application, can be mounted in an aircraft, on a boat, or on a flatbed truck [ b.2. ]. It should also be noted that personnel who might deliver such a weapon could be vaccinated to protect themselves against potential infection.