Saddam Hussein

Saddām Hussein ʻAbd al-Majīd al-Tikrīt, sometimes spelled Husayn or Hussain; (Arabic صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي; born April 28, 1937 {{fn|1}}) was President of Iraq from 1979 until his removal and capture during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Related Topics:
Arabic - April 28 - 1937 - President of Iraq - 1979 - 2003 invasion of Iraq

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A leading member of the revolutionary Ba'ath Party, which espoused secular pan-Arabism, economic modernization, and socialism, Saddam (see {{fn|2}} regarding names) played a key role in the 1968 coup that brought the party to long-term power. As vice president under his cousin, the frail General Ahmed Bakr, Saddam tightly controlled conflict between the government and the armed forces - at a time when many other groups were considered capable of overthrowing the government - by creating repressive security forces, and cementing his own firm authority over the apparatuses of government. High oil prices helped Iraq's economy to grow at a relatively rapid pace in the 1970s. {{fn|3}}

Related Topics:
Ba'ath Party - Secular - Pan-Arabism - Modernization - Socialism - 1968 - Coup - General Ahmed Bakr - Iraq - Economy - 1970s

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As president, he developed a pervasive personality cult, ran an authoritarian government, and maintained power through the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) and the first Persian Gulf War (1991), which were both devastating to Iraq, lowering living standards and human rights. Saddam's government repressed movements that it deemed threatening, particularly those from ethnic or religious groups that sought independence or autonomy.

Related Topics:
Personality cult - Authoritarian - Iran-Iraq War - 1980 - 1988 - Persian Gulf War - 1991 - Living standards - Human rights

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While he remained a popular hero among many disaffected Arabs for standing up to the West and for his staunch support for the Palestinians,{{fn|4}} the United States and other members of the international community continued to view Saddam with deep suspicion following the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Saddam was deposed by the U.S. and its allies during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Captured by U.S. forces on December 13, 2003 while hiding in a hole in a barn outside Tikrit, he will stand trial before the Iraq Special Tribunal, established by the Iraq Interim Government.

Related Topics:
Palestinian - United States - 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq - December 13 - 2003 - Iraq Special Tribunal - Iraq Interim Government

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