Saddam Hussein

[[File: Saddam Hussein's Rise to Power], PBS Online Newshour

Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (Arabic: صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي‎; 28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was an Iraqi politician who served as the fifth President of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003. A leading member of the revolutionary Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and later, the Baghdad-based Ba'ath Party and its regional organization, the Iraqi Ba'ath Party, which espoused Ba'athism, a mix of Arab nationalism and Arab socialism.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Saddam Hussein was born in the town of Al-Awja, near Tikrit, to a family of shepherds. His father died before he was born, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather. Saddam moved to Baghdad in his teenage years, where he became involved in the Ba'ath Party, which was dedicated to Arab nationalism and socialism.

In 1959, Saddam participated in a failed assassination attempt against the then Iraqi Prime Minister, Abdul Karim Qassim. After the attempt, he fled to Syria and then to Egypt, where he continued his education. He returned to Iraq after the Ba'ath Party briefly took power in 1963, but was imprisoned when the party was overthrown. He escaped from prison in 1967 and became a leading figure in the Ba'ath Party.

Presidency

Saddam became President of Iraq on 16 July 1979, succeeding Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr. His rule was marked by the consolidation of power, the suppression of dissent, and the promotion of a cult of personality. Saddam's government was characterized by its authoritarian nature, with the use of secret police, widespread surveillance, and brutal repression of opposition.

Iran-Iraq War

In 1980, Saddam launched an invasion of Iran, leading to the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted until 1988. The war was devastating for both countries, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties and significant economic damage. Saddam's use of chemical weapons against Iranian forces and Kurdish civilians drew international condemnation.

Gulf War

In 1990, Saddam invaded Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War. The invasion was met with international condemnation and a military response led by the United States and a coalition of allies. The war ended with the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait and the imposition of economic sanctions on Iraq.

Sanctions and Internal Repression

Throughout the 1990s, Iraq faced severe economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations, which had a devastating impact on the Iraqi economy and civilian population. Saddam's regime continued to suppress internal dissent, particularly among the Kurdish and Shia populations.

Downfall and Execution

In 2003, a United States-led coalition invaded Iraq, citing the threat of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam's support for terrorism as justifications. The invasion led to the toppling of Saddam's regime. Saddam was captured by U.S. forces on 13 December 2003.

Saddam was tried by the Iraqi Special Tribunal for crimes against humanity, including the killing of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites in the town of Dujail in 1982. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Saddam was executed by hanging on 30 December 2006.

Legacy

Saddam Hussein's legacy is controversial and complex. He is remembered for his brutal dictatorship, his role in regional conflicts, and his impact on Iraq's history. His rule left a lasting impact on Iraq and the Middle East, with ongoing debates about his policies and their consequences.

Also see

• Iran-Iraq War
• Gulf War
• Ba'ath Party
• Iraqi Special Tribunal
• Iraq War