Location: Daura, south of Baghdad, 20 km from city center

Short Descriptor: Production of botulinum toxin and, possibly, Bacillus anthracis  

 
Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Facility in Daura

Details:

In September 1990, the FMDV was taken over by Technical Research Center (TRC) to produce botulinum toxin for weapons; the site was renamed Al-Manal. Documentary evidence is available indicating that the facility was definitely acquired and 5000 liters of botulinum toxin were produced. The initial intention was that FMD production at the facility would not be interrupted but, because of the imperative of agent production towards the end of 1990, the six fermenters and ancillary equipment were also taken over and botulinum toxin produced. Production took place from November 1990 to 15 January 1991. The site was also used to conduct research on viral warfare agents including: hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, human rotavirus, and camelpox.

UNSCOM assesses that the Iraq's statements regarding Al-Manal's role in botulinum toxin production and virus research may be correct. However, it should be noted that UNSCOM cannot exclude the production of Agent B (Bacillus anthracis) from facilities other than Hakam based on analytical evidence of Agent B spores found in equipment (one fermenter, two tanks) located at the FMDV facility. Iraq's alternate explanation regarding this evidence is not credible.

Additional Information:

...Another large production facility at Al-Manal (south of Baghdad near the Baghdad broadcast station) is involved in the production of microscopic viruses. [sic] Although the facility was damaged during the Gulf War, production activity is being carried out in three large buildings equipped with four 2,200-liter fermentation tanks... [1]

...Kamil repeated that the hemorrhagic fever virus was developed at the Foot and Mouth Center located at Dawra. Husayn Kamil strongly implied that he knew, but would not say, what type of hemorrhagic fever virus the Iraqis had developed. [2]

	Updated February 2006