Fact Check: 5,000 chemical warheads were found in Iraq. The false claim leading up to the Iraq war was that Iraq had, or was close to getting nuclear weapons. Chemical weapons are weapons of mass destruction, and Iraq still had them, so Iraq had WMDs, just not the ones that were claimed to have had.

The Claim: "5,000 chemical warheads were found in Iraq"

Introduction

The claim that "5,000 chemical warheads were found in Iraq" suggests that American forces discovered a significant cache of chemical weapons after the 2003 invasion. This assertion is tied to the broader narrative surrounding Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), which was a key justification for the invasion. The claim also implies that while Iraq may not have had the nuclear capabilities initially asserted, it still possessed chemical weapons, thereby maintaining its status as a WMD threat.

What We Know

1. Chemical Weapons Found: Reports indicate that U.S. troops encountered thousands of chemical munitions in Iraq between 2004 and 2011. According to a New York Times report, these included roughly 5,000 chemical warheads, shells, or bombs that were left over from earlier conflicts, particularly the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War 168.

2. Nature of the Weapons: The chemical weapons found were largely remnants of Iraq's previous military programs, which had been active until the early 1990s. After the Gulf War, Iraq was required to destroy its chemical weapons stockpile, but some munitions remained unaccounted for 23.

3. Government Response: Reports suggest that the U.S. government did not widely publicize the findings of these chemical weapons, leading to claims that information was suppressed 48. This lack of transparency has fueled speculation and conspiracy theories regarding the true extent of Iraq's WMD capabilities.

4. Injuries to Troops: Some American service members reportedly suffered injuries from exposure to these chemical agents, which raises concerns about the safety protocols in place during the discovery of these munitions 15.

Analysis

The claim that 5,000 chemical warheads were found in Iraq is supported by multiple sources, including major news outlets like The New York Times and NPR. However, the context of these findings is crucial to understanding their significance:

• Source Reliability: The New York Times and NPR are generally regarded as credible news organizations, but they can also exhibit biases depending on the framing of their reports. The New York Times, for instance, has faced criticism for its role in promoting the narrative of WMDs in Iraq prior to the invasion, which may affect its current reporting on the topic 13.

• Historical Context: Iraq's chemical weapons program was indeed active and utilized in the past, particularly against Kurdish populations. However, the timeline of destruction mandated by the United Nations following the Gulf War complicates the narrative that Iraq was still a significant threat in 2003 2. The existence of abandoned munitions does not necessarily equate to an active WMD program.

• Conflicting Perspectives: Some sources argue that the discovery of these chemical weapons does not validate the pre-war claims made by the Bush administration regarding Iraq's capabilities. For instance, the Pentagon's findings were not the same as the stockpiles of WMDs that were publicly asserted as justification for the invasion 37.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodology behind the reporting of these findings is also worth scrutinizing. The estimates of 5,000 chemical warheads may rely on anecdotal reports from military personnel rather than comprehensive inventories. This raises questions about the accuracy and completeness of the data 49.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "5,000 chemical warheads were found in Iraq" is partially true, as there is evidence that U.S. forces did discover thousands of chemical munitions in Iraq. However, these weapons were largely remnants from previous conflicts and do not necessarily support the narrative that Iraq posed an active WMD threat at the time of the 2003 invasion. The context surrounding these findings is critical; while the number cited may be accurate, the implications of such discoveries are more complex.

It is important to note that the reporting on these findings may not fully capture the extent of Iraq's chemical weapons capabilities or the timeline of their destruction. Additionally, the reliance on anecdotal evidence raises questions about the completeness of the data. Therefore, while the claim has a basis in fact, it does not reflect the full picture of Iraq's chemical weapons status at the time.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the nuances and limitations of available evidence when assessing claims related to historical events.

Sources

1. The Secret Casualties of Iraq's Abandoned Chemical Weapons. The New York Times. Link
2. Iraq and weapons of mass destruction - Wikipedia. Link
3. 'Times' Report Details Pentagon's Mishandling Of Iraq Chemical Weapons. NPR. Link
4. Pentagon Reportedly Hushed Up Chemical Weapons. NPR. Link
5. U.S. Intelligence Documents on Chemical Weapons Found in Iraq. The New York Times. Link
6. U.S. troops found nearly 5,000 abandoned chemical weapons in Iraq. Yahoo News. Link
7. New York Times Reports WMD Found in Iraq - U.S. News & World Report. Link
8. Report: U.S. kept secret chemical weapons finds in Iraq. CNN. Link
9. U.S. troops found a hidden cache of 5,000 chemical weapons in Iraq. Daily Mail. Link