---
title: Coalition leaflet warning Iraqi units not to use weapons of mass destruction
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/iraq-leaflet-do-not-use-wmd-2003/
description: 'Both faces of a Coalition leaflet in English and Arabic: a line of gas-masked soldiers before a fireball and a biohazard sign under the words ''Do not use…'
section: Collection
---

[Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)

**Content note:** Wartime leaflet showing gas-masked soldiers, an explosion and a biohazard sign, with a threat of retribution. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[![Coalition leaflet warning Iraqi units not to use weapons of mass destruction](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/iraq-leaflet-do-not-use-wmd-2003.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/iraq-leaflet-do-not-use-wmd-2003.jpg)

# Coalition leaflet warning Iraqi units not to use weapons of mass destruction

Both faces of a Coalition leaflet in English and Arabic: a line of gas-masked soldiers before a fireball and a biohazard sign under the words 'Do not use weapons of mass destruction,' and a reverse threatening 'swift and severe retribution' and personal accountability for unit commanders. The tell is the pairing of a picture of the harm with a named consequence aimed at a specific audience.

- **Date:** February 24, 2003
- **Period:** [Contemporary](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#era=contemporary)
- **Made by:** Coalition forces in Iraq (U.S.-led psychological operations), published by the U.S. Navy
- **Region:** [North America](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#region=north-america)
- **Country:** [United States](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#country=united-states)
- **Medium:** [Leaflet](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#medium=leaflet)
- **Issuer type:** [Military](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#actor=military)
- **Regime:** [George W. Bush Administration](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#regime=george-w-bush-administration)
- **Leader:** [George W. Bush](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#leader=george-w-bush)
- **Audience:** [Enemy forces](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#audience=enemy-forces)
- **Purpose:** [Warn or inform](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#purpose=warn-inform)
- **Theme:** [War and the military](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#theme=war-military)
- **Event:** [Iraq War](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/#event=iraq-war)
- **Techniques:** [Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)
- **Source:** Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- **Source:** [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_030224-D-0000X-001_Coalition_aircraft_have_been_dropping_leaflets_warning_the_Iraqi_military_not_to_use_weapons_of_mass_destruction_(MWD).jpg), retrieved September 29, 2026
- **Rights:** Public domain (U.S. government work) U.S. Navy (VIRIN 030224-D-0000X-001), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

## Text on the object

Original (Multiple) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
Front
Do not use weapons of mass destruction.
[Biohazard]
IZ D019

لا تستخدموا أسلحة الدمار الشامل

Back
Any unit that chooses to use weapons of mass destruction will face swift and severe retribution by Coalition forces. Unit commanders will be held accountable if weapons of mass destruction are used.

أي وحدة تختار في أن تستخدم أسلحة الدمار الشامل
ستواجه عقابا صارما وعسيرا من قبل قوات الإئتلاف.
إذا استخدمت أسلحة الدمار الشامل فإن قادة الوحدات
سيحاسبون حسابا عسيرا.
```

English translation (machine translation by Claude, not verified by a fluent reader)

```
Arabic front: "Do not use weapons of mass destruction." Arabic back: "Any unit that chooses to use weapons of mass destruction will face strict and harsh punishment from Coalition forces. If weapons of mass destruction are used, unit commanders will be held severely to account." (English text is printed as given.)
```

Column headings 'English Version', 'Arabic Version', 'Front' and 'Back' belong to the Navy display sheet and are omitted. The English and Arabic wording is transcribed as printed; the Arabic is read from a mid-resolution image.

[← Mobile Production Facilities for Biological Agents (UN Security Council slide)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/powell-un-mobile-labs-2003/) ['Mission Accomplished' banner on USS Abraham Lincoln →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/mission-accomplished-banner-2003/)

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- [時局圖 (The Situation in the Far East / Map of the Present Situation), newer version with English labels](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/situation-in-far-east-tse-tsan-tai-1900/) (1900 · Fear appeal)