Iraqi Kurds Taking Legal Action Against French Companies Accused of Sending Gas to 'Chemical Ali'

Companies in Germany and the Netherlands could also see similar action taken

PARIS, June 11 (UPI) -- Iraqi Kurd survivors of a chemical attack in 1988 by Saddam Hussein are taking legal action against French companies that supplied poison gas, a lawyer said.

David Pere represents 721 survivors of the attack, which was ordered by then-Defense Minister Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali," Radio France Internationale reported Tuesday.

The attack was ordered against Kurds who had taken control of Halabja with Iran's backing during the Iraq-Iran war. Five thousand people died from the gas.