Saddam Hussein

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Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (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, which espoused Ba'athism, a mix of Arab nationalism and Arab socialism, Saddam played a key role in the 1968 coup (later referred to as the 17 July Revolution) that brought the party to power in Iraq.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Saddam was born in the town of Al-Awja, near Tikrit, to a family of shepherds. He joined the Ba'ath Party in 1957. In 1968, he participated in a coup that brought the Ba'athists to power. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming vice president under Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr and effectively the de facto leader of Iraq by the mid-1970s.

Presidency

Saddam formally assumed the presidency on 16 July 1979, following the resignation of al-Bakr. His rule was marked by efforts to modernize the Iraqi economy and a brutal campaign against political opponents. He nationalized the Iraqi oil industry and used the revenues to fund various development projects.

Iran-Iraq War

In 1980, Saddam launched an invasion of Iran, leading to the protracted Iran-Iraq War which lasted until 1988. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and economic disruption for both nations.

Gulf War

In 1990, Saddam ordered the invasion of Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War in 1991. A coalition led by the United States intervened, resulting in Iraq's defeat and the imposition of severe economic sanctions.

Internal Policies

Saddam's regime was known for its severe human rights abuses, including the use of chemical weapons against the Kurds in the Anfal campaign and the suppression of the Shia uprisings.

Downfall and Execution

In 2003, a coalition led by the United States invaded Iraq, citing the possession of weapons of mass destruction and links to terrorism as reasons. Saddam was captured in December 2003, tried, and executed by hanging on 30 December 2006.

Legacy

Saddam's rule left a lasting impact on Iraq and the broader Middle East. His policies and the subsequent invasion of Iraq have been subjects of extensive debate and analysis.

Related Pages

• Iraq
• Ba'ath Party
• Iran-Iraq War
• Gulf War
• Kurds
• Shia Islam

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