What is Saddam Hussein famous for?
Saddam Hussein has the dubious distinction of being the best-known Middle Eastern dictator. He ruled Iraq from 1979 until his overthrow and capture by a US-led coalition, in 2003. Born to a peasant family near Tikrit, the teenage Saddam immersed himself in the anti-British, Arab nationalist ideology of the day.
What kind of leader was Saddam Hussein?
Saddam Hussein was a secularist who rose through the Baath political party to assume a dictatorial presidency. Under his rule, segments of the populace enjoyed the benefits of oil wealth, while those in opposition faced torture and execution.
How did Saddam come to power?
In 1976, Saddam rose to the position of general in the Iraqi armed forces, and rapidly became the strongman of the government. Saddam acted to secure his grip on power. He forced the ailing al-Bakr to resign on 16 July 1979, and formally assumed the presidency.
Where was Hussein hiding?
Five months later, on December 13, 2003, U.S. soldiers found Saddam Hussein hiding in a six-to-eight-foot deep hole, nine miles outside his hometown of Tikrit. The man once obsessed with hygiene was found to be unkempt, with a bushy beard and matted hair.
Where does the last name Saddam come from?
“Saddam” redirects here. For other uses, see Saddam (disambiguation). In this Arabic name, the surname is al-Tikriti.
Who was the leader of Iraq in 1979?
Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. As the Ba’ath Party leader he was instrumental in the coup in 1968 and effectively held power from that time until formally becoming president in 1979. He was known in particular for his role in the Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf War.
Who was the leader of Syria in 1979?
In 1979, al-Bakr started to make treaties with Syria, also under Ba’athist leadership, that would lead to unification between the two countries. Syrian President Hafez al-Assad would become deputy leader in a union, and this would drive Saddam to obscurity. Saddam acted to secure his grip on power.
What was life like for Shi’a Muslims in Iraq?
Iraq’s 13 million Shi’a Muslims, the majority of Iraq’s population of approximately 22 million, face severe restrictions on their religious practice, including a ban on communal Friday prayer, and restriction on funeral processions.