In 1979, Saddam Hussein publicly accused 68 of his own party members of treason. But it was a lie. A way to get rid of people he considered rivals, and who he feared could cause problems in the future.
(Sep 7, 2024)
1979 Ba’ath Party Purge
Saddam hurriedly convened an “emergency session” of party leaders on 22 July. During the assembly, which he ordered to be videotaped, he claimed to have uncovered a fifth column within the party. Abdul-Hussein “confessed” to be part of a Syrian-financed faction established in 1975 that played a major role in the Syrian-backed plot against the Iraqi government. He also gave the names of 68 alleged co-conspirators. These were removed from the room one by one as their names were called and taken into custody. After the list was read, Saddam congratulated those still seated in the room for their past and future loyalty. Those arrested at the meeting were subsequently tried together and found guilty of treason. Twenty-two men, including five members of the Revolutionary Command Council, were sentenced to execution. Some party members were given weapons and directed to execute their comrades .
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