Basra rejoices Chemical Ali hit

The name "Chemical Ali" strikes terror into the hearts of the people of Basra, perhaps even more so than that of Saddam Hussein himself.

While Saddam was 250 miles away, his reviled cousin Ali Hassan Al-Majid ruled Iraq's second city through the barrel of a gun.

He was appointed commander of the southern region of Iraq in the run-up to the current conflict and locals tell how, when he arrived in Basra, he stamped his mark by personally shooting a man dead in the street.

Shia Muslims in particular shiver at the mention of his intelligence headquarters, where even lacklustre supporters of the regime were reportedly tortured and executed.

From his base in Basra, Al-Majid directed guerilla attacks on Allied forces and kept the city's population in check through death squads.

Tales are emerging of opponents having their tongues cut out, of summary executions and of children having guns put to their heads to make their fathers fight.

Al-Majid also ordered his forces to hide missiles in the city's university and tanks were positioned in shopping centres.

The removal of Al-Majid from Basra was seen by the allies as a key to unlocking the city.

After his home was hit with two precision guided missiles this weekend many people clearly believed he was dead, with reports of a 3,000-strong crowd cheering in the street.

News of his apparent demise is also thought to have sparked looting at Baath Party buildings.

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