Total Manpower Strength 46,000
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Al-AbasAlso Al Abbas. Further Iraqi modification of Scud-B. Its IOC was in 1990. First test-fired in April 1988. Length is 45 ft 1 in (13.75 m); weight, 17,637 lb (8,000 kg). It has an increased range of 486 nm (559 mi, 900 km). Payload estimated at 660 lb (300 kg). The Al-Abas carries an HE or chemical w arhead. CEP estimates range from 0.16 nm (300 m) to 0.81 nm (1,500 m). Syrian warheadsSome Syrian Scud-Bs were reported to have 2,150-lb (984 kg) chemical warheads with 1,200 lb (544 kg) of VX agent. ISSUES AND NOTESIf such weapons had been in the hands of Moscow, the extended-range variants of the Scud-B developed in Iraq would be eligible for scrapping under the 1987 U.S.-Soviet treaty for the elimination of intermediate-range nuclear forces. Although Scud-Bs may pose little threat due to their inaccuracy, o ther more modern shorter-range missiles in service with non-Soviet/Russian forces could receive similar upgrades and be tested in the new configuration without violating the terms of the INF Treaty. Soviet sources disagreed on the number and timing of Scud missile supplies to Iraq. Some publications claimed that the last missile was delivered in the mid-1970s. The Sept. 4, 1990, issue of New Times (Moscow) stated that 300 went to Iraq in 1985, possibly confirming earlier Western reports that 300 had been exported in 1986. In 1991, however, the Soviets stated that Moscow had sold 819 missiles to Iraq over the years. Despite its military insignificance, however, the Iraqi missile barrage against Israel and Saudi Arabia had several effects, including: 1) delaying the execution of the coalition's air plan by diverting aircraft and reconnaissance resources to finding mobile launchers; 2) demonstrating the value of an anti-tactical ballistic missile (ATBM) capability; 3) threatening to bring Israel into the war as a "wild card" and possibly breaking up the Arab-Western coalition; 4) improving Israel's international standing when it agreed not to respond; and 5) drawing attention to other Scud acquisition pro grams in the region. After Desert Storm ended in a cease-fire, North Korea delivered 24 Scud-C missiles to Syria in March 1991, a transaction allegedly paid for by Saudi Arabia as part of a total order of 150, according to the Wall Street Journalfor July 19, 1991. Iran and Libya also were reported to have purch ased North Korean-built Scuds, some of which were modified; production of Scuds in Libya and Egypt were also said to be imminent. In March 1992, a North Korean freighter put into the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas reportedly loaded with Scud-C missiles that were to be flown from Iran to Syria. North Korea, Iran and Syria denied any agreement to supply, transit or purchase missiles, although Syria stated that it would buy more S cuds if it needed them.
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