'Chemical Ali' Admits Having Kurdish Villages Destroyed

Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam Hussein's cousin, is better known as "Chemical Ali" for the chemical weapons attacks he is accused of ordering against Kurds (file photo) (epa) January 28, 2007 -- Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, acknowledged today he had given orders to demolish scores of Kurdish villages in the 1980s.

Al-Majid, known also as "Chemical Ali," said he had not made any "mistake" when issuing the orders.

He is one of several defendants who still face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the Anfal military campaign that killed tens of thousands of Kurds.

The trial was adjourned until January 29.

(AP, AFP)