From what I know Saddam built the factory as show of commitment to tribal leaders of Al Anbar in exchange for their support. Sort of an industrial bribe. To be honest it could have been built anywhere.

Not sure what has happened in last 20 years. So can’t answer that part of the question. Though I would say that Iraq is a complex country with the intersection of three main groups. Kurds, Sunni and Shia. Can make for less than ideal scenario for effective democracy.