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In December 2003, in Tikrit, Iraq, a hole in the secret camouflage, was revealed as soldiers carefully removed the pigeon and parrot cages on the ground.
Just under the mouth of this cave, former Iraq President Saddam Hussein is hiding in it. His eyes looked through the cracks in the cave as he gazed at the land where he had once called for wind and rain.
His face was tired, his beard was unkempt, and he had completely lost the majesty he once had.
As Saddam's last defender, Namick risked his life to dig the cave for him and cover its entrance with a messy birdcage in the hope that he would be able to avoid the pursuit of American troops.
It's a pity that the end of this chase game will eventually come.
Iraq's political scene is changing
In the summer of 1979, when the summer heat in Baghdad was unbearable, then-President Ahmed · Hassan ·al-Bakr announced his resignation and handed over power to his deputy, Saddam Hussein·
On this day, Saddam Hussein officially reached the pinnacle of power in Iraq.
"Today, we have ushered in a new generation of leaders," Becker's voice echoed in the conference room, his tired face could not hide the vicissitudes of time, "I hope that Comrade Saddam Hussein can lead us to a more brilliant future." ”
Saddam, who was sitting next to him, nodded, his eyes glinting with ambition.
After Saddam Hussein came to power, he consolidated his rule with an iron fist. His ruling style quickly became apparent, with the suppression of dissent, the purge of political opponents, and the imposition of repressive policies.
"You traitors," Saddam Hussein angrily accused from the stage, "betrayed the country and the people!" ”
At the sound of an order, more than 60 high-ranking officials were arrested on the spot, 22 were executed, and the fierce gunfire immediately rang out, shaking the whole of Iraq.
Saddam Hussein not only exercised high-handed rule at home, but also showed extremely aggressive nature internationally.
In 1980, he launched a full-scale war against Iran, and the two countries were plunged into an eight-year bloody battle. On the border between Iraq and Iran, there is a constant sound of gunfire and fighting.
Saddam Hussein personally went to the front line and commanded the battle.
"We must resolutely defend the dignity of our country," Mr. Saddam shouted at his soldiers during a front-line inspection, and the soldiers in the trenches responded with punches.
This war has brought very serious and tragic losses not only to the people of Iran, but also to the people of Iraq. Years of war have dragged down the country's economy and even more so the country's people.
The Kuwait invasion and the Gulf War
On August 2, 1990, Kuwait City was quiet before dawn. However, the calm in the sky was soon shattered by the roar of tanks and warplanes, and a large-scale invasion of Kuwait began.
Six days later, Kuwait was occupied, and the invasion sent shockwaves around the world. Saddam's actions also provoked a strong reaction from the international community.
The multinational force, led by United States, was quickly formed to carry out military strikes against Iraq.
In February 1991, Saddam's forces were defeated by a fierce offensive by the multinational force and eventually had to withdraw from Kuwait.
The defeat in the Gulf War did not shake Saddam's rule in Iraq, but the country fell into more serious economic difficulties and international sanctions.
In the 90s of the last century, the living standards of the Iraq people fell sharply, there was a shortage of materials, and social contradictions became increasingly intensified.
In 1995, Saddam Hussein was re-elected president, and in 2002 he was re-elected president.
Weapons of Mass Destruction Controversy and the Road to Escape
At the same time, however, he is facing increased international pressure. The UN Security Council called for verification of Iraq's stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction.
In the face of the accusations and demands of the international community, Saddam Hussein submitted to the United Nations a fact that he denied that he possessed weapons of mass destruction, but many countries, including United States, did not believe it.
On March 20, 2003, the U.S. and British forces launched an attack on Baghdad, and the Iraq War officially began.
At this moment, the invincible Saddam Hussein had to admit that he had been cornered, but it was not his style to be slaughtered like this, almost without thinking, and he made the decision to escape.
As the streets of Baghdad fall into chaos at night, Saddam Hussein changes into ordinary clothes, shaves off his trademark beard, and prepares to leave the city he has ruled for many years.
"We have to get out of here," Saddam said in a low voice to his henchman Namikh, "and Baghdad is no longer safe." ”
Namig nodded, quickly arranged for an inconspicuous car, and they hurriedly disappeared into the night.
Hiding in Tikrit
The escape was difficult, but under the cover of his supporters, it was not dangerous. Saddam Hussein was a very cautious man, he frequently changed his hiding place and identity, and he would never use modern communication tools that would be monitored.
During the period when he could not get in touch with modern society, Saddam Hussein is said to have passed the time by reading and writing, and while in hiding he recorded speeches that inspired his supporters against United States.
Dare to be so bold in such a desperate situation, so it seems that he is indeed a little "big-hearted".
Eventually, he made his way to his hometown, Tikrit, where his last refuge was.
Here, his guard, Namick, helped him dig a hole in the ground and camouflage it with dirty birdcages and weeds. In the cave, Saddam lived a reclusive life.
At the same time, the US military's pursuit of Saddam intensified.
In the summer of 2003, U.S. helicopters could often be seen hovering over Tikrit, while heavily armed soldiers searched the ground.
"They're close to here," Namig whispered during a food delivery, "but they haven't discovered our hiding place yet." Saddam Hussein nodded and remained silent.
The last capture
In December 2003, the U.S. military's search and arrest operation entered a critical phase. In one raid after another, the US military captured a number of Saddam's cronies.
After intense interrogation, the U.S. military gradually confirmed his possible hiding place. In early December, special forces went to Tikrit to carry out a final round-up.
On the evening of December 13, a soldier of the U.S. Army found the seemingly ordinary bird cage, and he gently removed the cage to find the cement cover hidden underneath.
The soldiers present looked at this rather hidden cave, and could not hide their excitement and excitement in their hearts, this is probably the place where Saddam Hussein is hiding.
Saddam Hussein always rushed to transfer when they were about to find him, and hopefully this time it won't be so.
With this in mind, the soldiers cautiously entered the cave, and to their surprise, there was a familiar figure hidden in the corner of the cave - Saddam Hussein ·.
His face was tired, his clothes were ragged, and his beard was unkempt. Months on the run made him look emaciated. The surrounding U.S. soldiers quickly restrained him and put him in handcuffs.
"We've finally caught him," an American commander said excitedly to the communicator, "and the operation was successful." ”
Interrogation and Trial
He remained silent in the face of interrogation by the US military, and a few days later, Saddam Hussein was publicly displayed and confirmed to be identified.
The people of Iraq saw through television images that this once formidable dictator is now a prisoner.
In 2005, Saddam Hussein was tried before the Special Court for Iraq. He still showed a tough attitude towards the judge, but his defense could not change the ultimate fate.
On 5 November 2006, after several court hearings, he was sentenced to death by hanging.
On December 30, Saddam Hussein was brought to the gallows, and this was how the former dictator ended his life.
Shortly after Saddam Hussein's arrest, Namiq, the guard who had fled with him and dug the hole for him, was also arrested.
"I'm just trying to protect him," Namick said to the soldiers who interrogated him during the interrogation, "he's my leader, and I have no choice." ”
The United States military wanted him to tell the whereabouts of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction, but to this day, the existence of these weapons and their location remain a mystery.
Eventually, he spent six painful months in Abu Ghraib prison.
After being released from prison, he ran a small restaurant with his family and quietly continued his life.
It is worth mentioning that in the eyes of his family and some Iraq people, his protection of the president is admirable, so he is very respected after his release from prison.
Saddam's death ushered in a new phase in Iraq's history, at a time when sectarian conflicts, terrorism and political turmoil became the country's daily routine.
Although the iron fist and terror of Saddam's rule are a thing of the past, its shadow still hangs over Iraq.
In 2011, the United States announced the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq. Today, war-torn people are working to restore stability and development to their country.
epilogue
Saddam · Hussein, a strongman who ruled Iraq for decades, was eventually arrested and executed. No one imagined that his final refuge would be a hole cleverly camouflaged with a dirty birdcage.
The future of Iraq, while still challenging, has opened a new chapter. Saddam's era came to an end when he was pulled out of that hidden hole.
Resources:
"Saddam's "Cave Digger" Reveals Details of Hiding to the Outside World for the First Time" - China Daily