Sign in Subscribe
United Nations

Iraq's Missile Test Raises Concerns Over WMD Capacity and Inspections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Iraq's recent test of its Al-Samud rocket, which has a range of less than 150 kilometers, has reignited concerns about its capacity to build and deploy weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Although the test does not violate UN restrictions, the fact that the facilities where the rocket was produced were destroyed in 1998 and have since been rebuilt has raised eyebrows. This development has led some to speculate that the US and UK may be planning to escalate their military attacks on Iraq as it approaches a critical point over weapons inspections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Al-Samud rocket tested by Iraq has a range of less than 150 kilometers, which does not violate UN restrictions.
  • The facilities where the rocket was produced were destroyed by American and British air strikes in December 1998, but have since been rebuilt.
  • The US State Department has expressed concerns about the implications of the test, stating that in the absence of UN inspectors, uncertainties about Iraq's activities will persist.
  • A UK newspaper has suggested that the test is a sign that current policy is failing, with no new initiatives or ideas.
  • A U.S. State Department spokesman has stated that concerns about Iraq's WMD capacity will increase as time passes.
  • The test has raised questions about the effectiveness of international inspections in preventing Iraq from exercising its WMD capabilities.
  • The report has sparked speculation about potential military action by the US and UK.

Statistics:

  • The range of the Al-Samud rocket tested by Iraq is less than 150 kilometers (95 miles).
  • The facilities where the rocket was produced were destroyed by American and British air strikes in December 1998.
  • The facilities have since been rebuilt.
  • The UN Security Council has restated its mandate in a new resolution (Resolution 1284) as recently as December 17.

Sources:

  • "New York Times"
  • "The Independent"
  • Report by David Nissman
  • Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
  • UN Security Council Resolution 1284

Read more