Iraq has also shown continued covert procurement efforts to obtain a variety of technologies prohibited under UN resolutions. All these actions indicate Iraq's intent to rebuild it weapons and missiles of mass destruction. Iraq is bound by Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and the Persian Gulf. Its population of around 23 million is ethnically and religiously diverse. Approximately 77% are Arabs. Sunni Muslims form around 17% of the Arab population and dominate the government. About 60% of Iraqis are Shias and 20% are Kurds. The remaining 3% of the population consists of Assyrians, Turkomans, Armenians, Christians and Yazidis. The Ba"ath Party nominally dominates public life in Iraq, but all real authority rests with Saddam and his immediate circle. Saddam's family, tribe and a small number of associates remain his most loyal supporters. He uses them to convey his orders, including to members of the government. Saddam acts to ensure that there are no other centers of power in Iraq. He has crushed parties and ethnic groups, such as the communists and the Kurds, which might try to assert themselves. Members of the opposition abroad have been the targets of assassination attempts conducted by Iraqi security services. Human rights abuses continue within Iraq. People continue to be arrested and detained on suspicion of political or religious activities or often because they are related to members of the opposition. Executions are carried out without due process of law. Human rights: abuses under Saddam Hussein -- A massive chemical weapons attack on Kurds in Halabja town in March 1988 killing 5000 and injuring 10,000 more -- 4000 prisoners were executed at Abu Ghraib Prison in 1984. -- 3000 prisoners were executed at the Mahjar Prison between 1993 and 1998. -- About 2500 prisoners were executed between 1997 and 1999 in a "prison cleansing" campaign.
