Saddam Hussein Life - World of Biography

Escape to Egypt

Saddam’s political journey led him to a dead end street, or to a death as an end of street. But when the death, the ultimate end, is confirmed, suddenly people with rebellious nature summon more strength and determination than they usually have because of the primal instinct to survive. Saddam made up his mind to make an attempt to escape; he firmly believed that when there was nothing to lose and everything to gain, why not to give it a try. He made an attempt to escape from the jail, and managed to escape with few wounds. Not a bad bargain for a big fortune called ‘life’. His life had became still on the dead end, but he blasted the wall just to find a brighter future than ever before, on the other side.

With wounds on his body Saddam escaped to Syria and soon moved to Cairo in Egypt. He joined a school in 1962 and completed his secondary school education. Soon he entered the college of Law in Cairo with a vision to study law. He studied for two years but could not finish his studies.

Back in Iraq

In 1963 he returned to Iraq to play his part in the revolutionary activities against the regime. He was elected as the leader of the Baath Party by the end of 1963.

The then Prime Minister saw the gradual growth of revolutionary force led by Baath

and made swift moves to save both his life and power. An arrest order was issued against major revolutionaries and Saddam headed the wanted list.

Heavy charges were levied upon Saddam, particularly for playing an active role in attempts to topple the ruling party. Ultimately he was arrested in October 1964. He was pushed behind the bars. Being in jail did not put an end to his accomplishments and political growth. He passed his first year examinations of the College of Law while in jail. He was elected as a member of the Baath Party’s Pan-Arab National Leadership in 1965, and also as the Deputy Secretary General of his party leadership in Iraq in September 1966.

Once again the iron bars proved to be more ductile and the walls of the prison small enough to contend Saddam. He made another successful escape from the prison, as if the concrete walls were permeable to him.

Coup d’etat - I

Escaping from the prison, he engaged himself to gather strength, particularly arms and dedicated people who could help him to continue his mission. While he and his party members were working to overthrow the government, they also got an unexpected but very vital support – approval of the Iraq Army. Four key officers of the army agreed upon giving support for the coup on the condition that the head of military intelligence, Colonel an – Nayif and another officer, Colonel ad-Daud should be made the Prime Minister and the defense minister, respectively. Al-Bakr the leader of Baath and Saddam Hussein, who was very close to Al-Bakr agreed for the bargain and a day was chosen.

Early on a beautiful morning of July 17, 1968, while President Arif was still in his palace, unaware of the undercurrents, was taken by a shock. Baath members, led by Al-Bakr attacked the palace. Colonel Ghaydon, one of the four supportive military officers himself opened the gates of palace for Al-Bakr and Saddam. President Arif, still asleep was awakened and informed that the army had revolted.

The President had lost the game even before he could play it. Saddam and Al-Bakr were not interested in a bloody encounter, at least as long as others did not force them to. They asked President Arif to surrender, which he did without any resistance. The President was asked to leave Iraq immediately, so he left Baghdad for London. This was the first of the couple of very decisive incidents in Saddam’s life that almost decided that this man had a significant role to play in Iraq’s politics.