Iran-Iraq Records
Iran-Iraq War: The View from Baghdad
Conference Records
The Conflict Records Research Center (CRRC) is pleased to release 20 records from the CRRC’s Saddam Hussein collection in conjunction with the CRRC-Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars “The Iran-Iraq War” conference, held 25-27 October 2011 at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
“The Iran-Iraq War” conference is centered on captured records from Saddam’s regime, digital copies of which are available to scholars at the CRRC. These new materials, including high-level Iraqi government documents and recorded conversations between Saddam and his inner circle, shed new light on the origins of the conflict, its global and regional Cold War context, the decision-making process of Iraq’s leadership, and a wide variety of other topics.
Digital copies of the captured records are provided below, along with full English translations. These records provide only a small sample of the much larger collection that is available to scholars at the CRRC.
SH-SHTP-A-000-835, “Saddam and his advisers discussing Iraq's decision to go to war with Iran,” 16 September 1980.
SH-GMID-D-001-125, “Letter of General Military Intelligence Directorate about Iranian use of chemical weapons on Iraqi troops,” 14 April 1987.
SH-SHTP-A-000-910, “Meeting between Saddam and senior Iraqi officials discussing the execution of British journalist Farzad Bazoft, modifications to Iraq's constitution, and an Israeli attack on Iraq's nuclear reactor,” undated (sometime after 1989).
SH-SHTP-A-000-635, “Saddam meeting with his cabinet to discuss the 1982 budget,” undated (circa 1982).
SH-SHTP-A-001-167, “Saddam and Ba'ath Party members discussing the status of the Party in the Arab world and potential cooperation with the Muslim Brotherhood,” 24 July 1986.
SH-SHTP-D-000-559, “Saddam and his inner circle discussing relations with various Arab states, Russia, China, and the United States,” undated (circa 4-20 November 1979).
SH-PDWN-D-000-730, “Transcript of an Armed Forces General Command meeting on the Iran-Iraq War and Al-Faw,” 26 May 1988.
SH-SHTP-A-000-555, “Saddam and his advisers discussing Reagan's speech to the nation on "Irangate" (Iran-Contra) Revelations (part 2),” 15 November 1986.
SH-PDWN-D-001-021, “Transcripts of meetings between Saddam and senior Iraqi officials discussing military tactics during the war with Iran, including the use of napalm and cluster bombs, tank maneuvering, and attacking oil refineries,” 6 October 1980.
SH-MISC-D-000-827, “Saddam and senior Iraqi officials discussing the conflict with Iran, Iraqi targets and plans, a recent attack on the Osirak reactor, and various foreign countries,” 1 October 1980.
SH-GMID-D-000-842, “General Military Intelligence Directorate report assessing political, military, and economic conditions in Iran,” 1 January-30 June 1980.
SH-SHTP-D-000-847, “Transcript of a meeting between Saddam and his commanders regarding the Iran-Iraq War,” undated (after 23 September 1980).
SH-SHTP-A-001-023, “Saddam and his advisers discussing the importance of morale, mobilizing popular support, and targeting Iranian cities,” 6 March 1987.
SH-SHTP-A-000-788, “Saddam and senior advisers discussing Iraq's stance toward international law, relations with Turkey, Kurdish autonomy, and other issues,” undated (circa June-July 1988).
SH-SHTP-A-000-561, “Saddam and his inner circle discussing the United Nations, the Soviet Union, and the United States,” undated (circa April 1988).
SH-SHTP-A-000-556, “Saddam discussing Iran-Contra (“Irangate”) revelations with his inner circle,” undated (circa late 1986).
SH-AFGC-D-000-731, “Transcripts from three audio files of a meeting of the General Command of the Armed Forces,” 24 March 1988.
SH-SHTP-A-000-851, “Saddam and high-ranking officials discussing Khomeini, the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict, the potential for Kurdish unrest, and the Iranian economy,” 20 February 1979.
SH-PDWN-D-000-552, “Arms agreements between Iraq and the Soviet Union signed in 1981 and 1983,” 1981-1989.
SH-GMID-D-000-898, “General Military Intelligence Directorate memos on Iran's chemical weapons capability and alleged use,” October 1987-September 1988.