Chemical Ali found dead in Basra: British official

Ali Hassan al-Majid, dubbed "Chemical Ali" for ordering a poison gas attack that killed thousands of Kurds, was first cousin of Saddam Hussein.

Ali Hassan al-Majid, dubbed "Chemical Ali" by opponents of the Iraqi regime for ordering a poison gas attack that killed thousands of Kurds, has been found dead, a British officer said on Monday.

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Maj. Andrew Jackson of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment told The Associated Press that his superiors had confirmed the death during a briefing earlier in the day.

Jackson said the body was found along with that of his bodyguard and the head of Iraqi intelligence services in Basra. Al-Majid was a first cousin of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who had entrusted him with defence of southern Iraq against invading coalition forces.

Meanwhile, Britain has "strong indications" that "Chemical Ali" was killed in an allied raid, but cannot confirm his death, British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said.