COMMENT | The sideshow at the height of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 was Iraq’s information minister, Ali Hassan al-Majid, the notorious “Chemical Ali”, a moniker for ordering the gassing of more than 5,000 Kurds in the country’s north in 1988.

He later became known as “Comical Ali” for his infamous quotes after the US forces had annihilated the Iraqi army.

“The American louts fled. God will roast their stomachs in hell at the hands of Iraqis,” was among his most reproduced quotes.

He created lies and half-truths, most of which kept us amused despite the vagaries of war which resulted in the loss of lives.