Saddam Hussein[c] (28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was an Iraqi politician and revolutionary who served as the fifth president of Iraq from 1979 until his overthrow in 2003 during the United States-led invasion of Iraq.
Saddam Hussein, the controversial Iraqi leader known for his iron-fisted rule and involvement in regional conflicts, left a lasting impact on Middle Eastern history with his reign marked by oppression and international tensions.
After being sentenced to death by an Iraqi court, Saddam asked to be executed by firing squad instead of hanging, claiming it as the lawful military capital punishment and citing his former position of commander-in-chief of the Iraqi military.
Twenty years after the invasion of Iraq, a look back at the December 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein, a watershed moment in the Iraq War. Scott Pelley visited the site of Saddam's last stand a...
Saddam Hussein’s name is synonymous with Iraq’s tumultuous history over the latter part of the 20th century. His rule, characterized by both development and devastation, has had a lasting impact on both the Middle East and beyond.
The hunt for Saddam Hussein was one of the most intense manhunts in history. This video unpacks the twists and turns that led to his capture in a hidden underground bunker.
The Economist described Saddam as "one of the last of the 20th century's great dictators, but not the least in terms of egotism, or cruelty, or morbid will to power." Saddam's regime brought about the deaths of at least 250,000 Iraqis and committed war crimes in Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
Saddam Hussein was president of Iraq for more than two decades and is seen as a figurehead of the country's military conflicts with Iran and the United States.