Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash: Iraqi Scientist and Former Political Figure

Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash (born July 1953) is an Iraqi scientist and former politician known for her involvement in Iraq's weapons programs during Saddam Hussein's regime. She gained international attention as one of the few prominent female figures in Iraq's military and scientific community.

Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash

Ammash was born in Baghdad and received her education in Iraq, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Baghdad in 1979. She later pursued postgraduate studies in the United States, earning a master's degree and a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Missouri in the early 1980s.

Returning to Iraq, Ammash became a prominent figure in the country's scientific community. She rose through the ranks to become a key member of Iraq's military-industrial complex, particularly involved in the field of biological weapons research. Ammash's expertise and leadership qualities led to her appointment as a senior official in Iraq's military establishment.

During Saddam Hussein's rule, Ammash served as the head of the Iraqi Biological Research Program, where she played a significant role in developing Iraq's biological weapons capabilities. Her involvement in Iraq's weapons programs drew international scrutiny and condemnation, particularly in the aftermath of the Gulf War in 1991 and during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Following the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Ammash went into hiding but was eventually captured by coalition forces in May 2003. She was detained and interrogated by U.S. authorities on suspicion of involvement in Iraq's weapons programs. In 2005, she was placed on the U.S. Department of Defense's list of most-wanted Iraqis, often referred to as the "Deck of Cards," which featured high-ranking members of Saddam Hussein's government.

Ammash's trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity began in 2005, but it was postponed multiple times. In 2010, she was released from detention without being formally charged with any crimes. Her release came after a lack of evidence linking her directly to atrocities committed by the regime. Despite her controversial past, Ammash has largely remained out of the public eye since her release.

In addition to her scientific and political career, Ammash has been noted for breaking gender barriers in Iraq's male-dominated military and scientific spheres. Her rise to prominence as a female scientist and leader in a repressive regime underscores the complex intersection of gender, politics, and science in the context of authoritarian regimes.

In conclusion, Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash was a significant figure in Iraq's military and scientific community during Saddam Hussein's regime, notable for her expertise in microbiology and her involvement in Iraq's biological weapons program. Despite her achievements in breaking gender barriers in male-dominated spheres, her legacy is marred by her association with Iraq's weapons programs and the atrocities committed by the regime. Following her capture by coalition forces in 2003, Ammash faced scrutiny and detention but was eventually released without formal charges. Her story highlights the complex intersections of gender, politics, and science in authoritarian regimes, serving as a reminder of the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals operating within such contexts.

Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash has been mentioned in various books, documentaries, and news articles related to the Iraq War, Saddam Hussein's regime, and the country's weapons programs. Some of the sources where her name may appear include:

• Books:

• "The Iraq War: A Military History" by Williamson Murray and Robert H. Scales

• "Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of the Intelligence Conspiracy to Undermine the UN and Overthrow Saddam Hussein" by Scott Ritter

• "The Greatest Threat: Iraq, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the Growing Crisis of Global Security" by Richard Butler

• Documentaries and Films:

• "Why We Fight" (2005)

• "No End in Sight" (2007)

• "Control Room" (2004)

• News Articles and Websites:

• Various news outlets such as BBC, CNN, and The New York Times have covered her story in articles related to the Iraq War, weapons of mass destruction, and the capture of high-ranking Iraqi officials.

These sources provide insight into her role and involvement in Iraq's military-industrial complex, as well as the broader geopolitical context of the Iraq War and its aftermath.