America's North Shore Journal

An area formerly used by Iraq’s Baath party to produce chemical and biological weapons has taken a turn for the better. The area, known to coaliton forces as the “Tri-Cities”, encompasses Iraq’s government-planned housing areas of Jiko, Sattack, Mukalan and their outlying farming areas. The Tri-Cities City Council was formed only three months ago, and has quickly established itself as the local government in the region. But only recently has security in the area improved enough to allow the council to provide governance in the area. According to CIA reports, the Iraqi chemical facility, the Muthanna Chemical Complex, dominated the area but was left in ruins after precision bombing attacks on Saddam Hussein’s infrastructures during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The facility employed hundreds of Iraqis, and included housing to make working there … Read entire article »