Saddam Hussein
1937–2006 · Iraqi (Tikrit / Baghdad) · Cold War, Gulf Wars
Known for: Iraqi dictator who waged war against Iran and Kuwait, used chemical weapons on his own people, and was overthrown by the US
Saddam ruled Iraq for 24 years through a combination of brutality, patronage, and cult of personality. He fought an 8-year war with Iran (1 million dead), invaded Kuwait (triggering the Gulf War), used chemical weapons against Kurdish Iraqis at Halabja, and was overthrown by the US in 2003. He was captured hiding in a spider hole and executed by hanging.
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