50 Facts About Saddam Hussein

Early Life and Education

Saddam Hussein's early years were marked by hardship and ambition. His journey from a small village to the presidency of Iraq is a story of determination and political maneuvering.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on April 28, 1937, in Al-ʿAwjah, near Tikrīt in northern Iraq, Saddam's father died before his birth, leaving his mother to raise him alone.

2. Poverty and Education: Growing up in poverty, Saddam attended Cairo Law School from 1962 to 1963, later continuing his studies at Baghdad Law College after the Baʿathists took power in 1963.

3. Baʿath Party Involvement: Joining the Baʿath Party in 1957, Saddam was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Iraqi Prime Minister ʿAbd al-Karīm Qāsim in 1959, leading to his escape to Syria and then Egypt.

4. Prison and Escape: After the Baʿathists were overthrown in 1963, Saddam spent several years in prison. He escaped and became a leader of the Baʿath Party, playing a key role in the 1968 coup that brought the party back to power.

Rise to Power

Saddam's ascent to the presidency was marked by strategic moves and ruthless actions. His leadership style and policies shaped Iraq's future.

5. Rise to Power: Saddam effectively held power in Iraq alongside President Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr. In 1972, he directed the nationalization of Iraq’s oil industry and became president in 1979.

6. Presidency and Personality Cult: As president, Saddam used an extensive secret-police establishment to suppress opposition, creating a personality cult to reinforce his authority.

Major Conflicts and Wars

Saddam's rule was characterized by significant conflicts, both internal and external. These wars had lasting impacts on Iraq and the region.

7. Iran-Iraq War: In 1980, Saddam launched an invasion of Iran’s oil fields, leading to a prolonged and costly war that lasted until 1988.

8. Occupation of Kuwait: In August 1990, the Iraqi army overran Kuwait, intending to use its oil revenues to bolster Iraq’s economy, but this led to a worldwide trade embargo.

9. Persian Gulf War: The Persian Gulf War began on January 16, 1991, and ended six weeks later when the allied military coalition drove Iraq’s armies out of Kuwait.

Human Rights Abuses

Saddam's regime was notorious for its brutal suppression of dissent and widespread human rights abuses.

10. Human Rights Abuses: Under Saddam’s rule, thousands were tortured and murdered, with many disappearing into the regime’s prisons, such as Abu Ghraib.

11. Deception and Defiance: Saddam’s regime repeatedly accepted UN inspections “without conditions” only to demand conditions later, often at gunpoint.

UN Inspections Timeline

Saddam's interactions with the United Nations were marked by a pattern of deception and defiance, leading to numerous resolutions and sanctions.

12. July 6-29, 1992: Iraq refused an inspection team access to the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture.

13. January 1993: Iraq refused to allow UNSCOM to use its own aircraft to fly into Iraq.

14. June-July 1993: Iraq refused to allow UNSCOM inspectors to install remote-controlled monitoring cameras at two missile engine test stands.

15. November 26, 1993: Iraq accepted Resolution 715 and the plans for ongoing monitoring and verification.

16. October 15, 1994: The Security Council adopted Resolution 949, demanding Iraq cooperate fully with UNSCOM and withdraw military units deployed to southern Iraq.

17. March 1996: Iraqi security forces refused UNSCOM teams access to five sites designated for inspection, delaying entry by up to 17 hours.

18. March 19, 1996: The Security Council issued a presidential statement expressing concern over Iraq’s behavior, calling it a clear violation of obligations.

19. March 27, 1996: Security Council Resolution 1051 approved the export/import monitoring mechanism for Iraq, demanding unconditional cooperation.

20. June 1996: Iraq denied UNSCOM teams access to sites under investigation for involvement in the “concealment mechanism” for proscribed items.

21. June 12, 1996: The Security Council adopted Resolution 1060, demanding Iraq grant “immediate and unrestricted access” to all sites designated for inspection.

22. June 13, 1996: Despite Resolution 1060, Iraq again denied access to another inspection team.

23. November 1996: Iraq blocked UNSCOM from removing remnants of missile engines for in-depth analysis outside Iraq.

Personal Life and Quirks

Beyond his political life, Saddam had a complex personal life filled with unique quirks and surprising facts.

24. Personal Life: Saddam married his first cousin, Sajida Talfah, in 1963. They had five children, including Uday and Qusay Hussein.

25. Romance Novel: Saddam penned a best-selling romance novel, showcasing a literary side that contrasted with his brutal public image.

26. Key to the City of Detroit: In 1979, Saddam received the key to the city of Detroit from Mayor Coleman Young and donated $250,000 to a Chaldean Christian church.

27. Hate for Froot Loops: Despite his luxurious lifestyle, Saddam had a peculiar dislike for Froot Loops cereal, noted by U.S. Army Spc. Sean O'Shea, his personal jailer.

28. Offer to Debate George W. Bush: To prevent the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, Saddam offered to debate U.S. President George W. Bush on live TV.

29. Qur'an Written in Blood: On his 60th birthday, Saddam commissioned a Qur'an written in his own blood, an act considered haram in Islam.

Key Events and Policies

Saddam's rule was marked by significant events and policies that shaped Iraq's history and his legacy.

30. Single Mother and Uncle’s Influence: Raised by his single mother, Saddam's main male influence was his uncle, a Baʿath Party member, shaping his political ambitions.

31. Failed Assassination Attempt: In 1959, Saddam participated in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Iraqi Prime Minister Abd al-Karim Qasim, leading to his escape to Syria and Egypt.

32. Baʿathist Coup: Saddam was instrumental in the 1968 coup that brought the Baʿath Party back to power, effectively holding power alongside President Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr.

33. Nationalization of Oil Industry: In 1972, Saddam directed the nationalization of Iraq’s oil industry, increasing state control over the country’s most valuable resource.

34. Personality Cult: Saddam created an extensive personality cult around himself, using propaganda and suppression to reinforce his authority.

35. War Crimes and Human Rights Abuses: Saddam’s regime was notorious for war crimes and human rights abuses, particularly against Shiʿis and Kurds.

36. Iran-Iraq War Impact: The Iran-Iraq War devastated Iraq’s economy and infrastructure, leading to significant economic hardship.

37. Persian Gulf War Consequences: The Persian Gulf War resulted in the loss of Kuwait and significant damage to Iraq’s military and infrastructure.

38. UN Inspections and Deception: Saddam’s regime repeatedly accepted UN inspections “without conditions” only to demand conditions later, often at gunpoint.

39. UN Resolutions and Sanctions: The UN imposed numerous resolutions and sanctions on Iraq in response to its non-compliance with international law.

40. Internal Rebellions: Saddam’s regime faced internal rebellions by Shiʿis and Kurds following the Persian Gulf War, which were brutally suppressed.

41. Abu Ghraib Prison: The notorious Abu Ghraib prison symbolized Saddam’s regime’s brutality, infamous for its torture chambers and mass executions.

Health and Family

Saddam's health issues and family dynamics played a significant role in his life and rule.

42. Saddam’s Health Issues: Suffering from diabetes and heart problems, Saddam’s health conditions were often used as a pretext for his actions.

43. Family Members: Saddam had five children with Sajida Talfah, including Uday and Qusay Hussein, who played significant roles in his regime.

Unique and Controversial Acts

Saddam's rule included several unique and controversial acts that added to his complex legacy.

44. Romantic Novel Writing: Saddam’s romance novel showcased a surprising literary side, humanizing him beyond his brutal public image.

45. Key to Detroit: Receiving the key to the city of Detroit in 1979, Saddam also donated $250,000 to a Chaldean Christian church.

46. Froot Loops Dislike: Despite his luxurious lifestyle, Saddam’s peculiar dislike for Froot Loops cereal was noted by his personal jailer.

47. Offer to Debate George W. Bush: To prevent the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, Saddam offered to debate U.S. President George W. Bush on live TV.

48. Qur'an Written in Blood: On his 60th birthday, Saddam commissioned a Qur'an written in his own blood, an act considered haram in Islam.

Execution and Legacy

Saddam's execution marked the end of his brutal rule, leaving a complex legacy that continues to shape Iraq and the region.

49. Execution: Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging on December 30, 2006, at Kadhimiya prison in Baghdad.

50. Legacy: His life and reign were marked by personal ambition, political ideology, and brutal suppression, serving as a cautionary tale about authoritarianism and human rights.

Saddam Hussein's Complex Legacy

Saddam Hussein's life was a whirlwind of power, brutality, and controversy. From his humble beginnings in a small Iraqi village to his rise as a dictator, his journey was anything but ordinary. He ruled with an iron fist, suppressing opposition and creating a personality cult around himself. His decisions led to devastating wars, economic hardship, and countless human rights abuses. Yet, his personal quirks, like his dislike for Froot Loops and writing a romance novel, add layers to his complex persona. His execution in 2006 marked the end of an era for Iraq, but the impacts of his rule still echo today. Saddam's story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of human rights. His legacy is a mix of fear, fascination, and lessons for future generations.