They believe it was part of the intelligence headquarters of Ali Hassan al-Majid, who ordered the gassing of thousands of Kurds in 1988.

BBC: UK troops appoint Basra 'mayor'

The two men directly responsible - Saddam Hussein and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid - known as "Chemical Ali" - were hanged in 2006 and 2010.

BBC: Iraqi Kurds mark 25 years since Halabja gas attack

The area was governed by Saddam's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, the infamous so-called "Chemical Ali, " who is believed to have orchestrated the gassing of the Kurds in Halbaja in 1988.

CNN: War Stories: 'All we can do is try to stay alive'