Saddam Hussein Biography and Timeline

Birth of Saddam Hussein

Birth of Saddam Hussein, near Tikrit

Ba'ath Socialist Party

Appointed Member of Ba'ath Socialist Party, a growing party with 300 members

Arrest of Saddam Hussein

Arrested for the murder of al-Tikriti

Coup

Involved in a failed attempt to assassinate President Qassem

Coup

Involved in a failed attempt to assassinate President Qassem

Coup

Flees to Syria after an abortive coup against the military dictator brigadier Kassem

Coup

Flees to Syria after an abortive coup against the military dictator brigadier Kassem

Coup

Returns to Iraq after Kassem was overthrown & killed

Coup

The Baathists favour a pan-Arab, secular socialist state. The Baathists come to power for the 1st time. A nationalist coalition seizes power including the Baathists

Exile of Saddam Hussein

Returns to Iraq after Kassem was overthrown & killed

Coup

The Baathists favour a pan-Arab, secular socialist state. The Baathists come to power for the 1st time

Arrest of Saddam Hussein

Arrested for conspiring against President Aref. Arrested for a 2nd time

Arrest of Saddam Hussein

Escapes from arrest

Coup

1st day of a coup that brings the Baath Party to power

Role range: 1968-2003

Coup

Breaks into the Presidential Palace & holds a gun to the Presidents head

Role range: 1968-2003

Coup

Breaks into the Presidential Palace & holds a gun to the Presidents head

Government

Given responsibility for national security

Role range: 1968-2003

Coup

The Baath Party come to power

Role range: 1968-2003

Exile of Saddam Hussein

Forces Nayif into exile by threatening him with a gun at Barkrs office

Role range: 1968-2003

Deputy Chairman

Appointed Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Baath Party, in charge of security

Role range: 1968-2003

Baath Party declares that iy has smashed a Zionist spy ring

The Baath Party declares that iy has smashed a Zionist spy ring

Role range: 1968-2003

Plot

The Baath Party declares that iy has smashed a Zionist spy ring

Role range: 1968-2003

Coup

Played a leading role in the 1968 revolution

Role range: 1968-2003 – 1969-1979

Coup

Played a leading role in the 1968 revolution

Massacre

Religious leaders are massacred

Role range: 1968-2003

Nuclear Power

After the nuclear reactor deal with France declares there will be an Arab atomic bomb

Armament

Helps negotiate the purchase of Mirage-F1 fighter planes from France

Role range: 1968-2003

Take by Chirac on a tour of Provence

Take by Chirac on a tour of Provence. Deputizes for Bakr during his ill health & recieves Jaques Chirac

Role range: 1968-2003

Coup

Adnan, a cousin, & Tulfah, an uncle, threaten Bakr in the Presidential Palace

Role range: 1968-2003

Coup

Adnan, a cousin, & Tulfah, an uncle, threaten Bakr in the Presidential Palace

Signs a deal with France for the development of a nuclear reactor

Signs a deal with France for the development of a nuclear reactor

Role range: 1968-2003

Assassination of Nayif

Nayif is shot dead on Saddams orders in London

Role range: 1968-2003

Defence Agreement at Damascus

Agrees to unite Syria & Iraqs ministries of foreign affairs, defense & information

Role range: 1968-2003

Reform of Political Parties

The Baath Party of Iraq announces it wishes to unite with the Baath Party of Syria. Architect of the policy to unite the Syrian & Iraqi Baath Parties

Role range: 1968-2003

Dismissal

The Revolutionary Command Council decide to replace Bakr

Role range: 1968-2003 – 1979-2003

Resignation of Ahmed Hassan al- Bakr

Bakr announces his resignation

Role range: 1968-2003

President of Iraq

Appointed President of Iraq, announced by al-Bakr

Role range: 1968-2003 – 1979-2003

Visit to Baghdad

President Asad of Syria visits Saddam Hussein to discuss Iraqi & Syrian unification

Role range: 1968-2003 – 1979-2003

Inauguration

Inaugurated as President of Iraq

Role range: 1968-2003 – 1979-2003

Purge

Iraqs "night of the long knives", 500 are murdered

Role range: 1968-2003 – 1979-2003