Iraqi memories of controversial Gulf War attack still strong

The shelter's walls are covered with pictures of those who died

February 13, 2000
Web posted at: 10:03 p.m. EST (0303 GMT)

In this story: Iraq: Aggression continues Target becomes monument to the dead RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff reports

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- On the ninth anniversary of one of the most controversial incidents of the Persian Gulf War, Iraq is remembering victims of the attack on Baghdad's Amiriya air raid shelter.

On February 13, 1991, U.S. bombs hit the shelter, killing more than 400 people who had sought refuge there during allied airstrikes, according to Iraqi officials.

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CNN's James Martone reports that Iraqi memories of a deadly bombing are still strong. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

Iraq's response to the attack was outrage, claiming the allies had deliberately targeted civilians. But U.S. officials said the shelter was hit because information indicated it was being used as a military communications center by the Iraqi military.

On Sunday, Iraqi dignitaries gathered for an anniversary ceremony honoring victims of Amiriya at Baghdad's Martyrs Memorial, where Iraqi Vice President Izat Ibrahim laid a wreath.

Iraq: Aggression continues

"When we heard the shelter had been hit, we didn't believe it," said 19-year-old Masam, who says he lost a brother and sister in the attack. "We knew that wasn't allowed in war."

Participants at the memorial pointed out that nearly a decade after the war, its political fallout remains palpable. "It seems that this aggression is continuing," said Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. "It hasn't stopped. We hope that it will stop, of course."

Target becomes monument to the dead

Iraq has turned the scene of the attack into a monument of its own, with photographs and mementos of victims lining its dark walls, and the ceiling still riddled with crumbling holes. Visitors are told that the marks of children's hands can still be seen burned into the cement ceiling by the force of the explosion.

"It means the biggest crime in history," said Iraqi Information Minister Humman Abdel Khaliq, calling the attack on Amiriya an act his nation will never forgive.

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