Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, often known as "Mrs. Anthrax," was a prominent Iraqi scientist and a key figure in Saddam Hussein's regime. Born on October 12, 1953, in Baghdad, Iraq, she grew up to become one of the country's leading microbiologists. Ammash earned her Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Baghdad in 1974 before continuing her studies abroad.

Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash

In 1980, Ammash received her Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Missouri. Her research focused on bacterial toxins and their potential use in biological warfare. This expertise would later draw the attention of the Iraqi government, which sought to bolster its biological warfare capabilities.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Ammash rose through the ranks of Iraq's scientific community. She became a prominent member of Iraq's Ba'ath Party and held various positions within the government, including Deputy Minister of Military Industrialization. In this role, she played a significant part in Iraq's efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Ammash gained international notoriety following the Gulf War in 1991 when it was revealed that Iraq had been pursuing a clandestine biological weapons program. She became one of the most wanted individuals by the United States and was indicted by the FBI for her alleged involvement in the program. The nickname "Mrs. Anthrax" emerged due to her alleged connection to the development of anthrax as a biological weapon.

Despite the intense scrutiny and international pressure, Ammash remained loyal to Saddam Hussein's regime. She continued her work in Iraq's scientific community until the fall of Baghdad in 2003, when the regime was overthrown by the U.S.-led coalition forces.

After the invasion, Ammash went into hiding but was eventually captured by coalition forces in May 2003. She was detained by the U.S. military and held at Camp Cropper, a detention facility near Baghdad International Airport. In February 2004, she was handed over to Iraqi authorities to face trial for her alleged crimes against humanity.

In 2005, Ammash was charged with multiple offenses, including crimes against humanity, for her role in Saddam Hussein's regime. She stood trial alongside other high-ranking officials from the former regime. In 2010, she was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

The life of Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash reflects the complex intersection of science, politics, and warfare. Her story serves as a reminder of the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists working in politically charged environments and the consequences of their choices.