On December 30, 2006, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was hanged in Baghdad, ending his 63-year life. He was one of the most influential politicians in the Middle East and one of America's worst enemies.
His death sparked global attention and controversy, with some crying for him, some cheering for him, some feeling sorry for him, and some despising him. But in any case, he is a historical figure to be reckoned with, and his life has been filled with war, dictatorship, violence, and resistance.
The day before he was executed, he was mercilessly humiliated and tortured by the U.S. military, two American flags were planted on his underwear, his body was beaten all over his body, and his dignity was trampled to nothing. What an ironic and sad scene it is for a once-majestic leader of a country to be reduced to such a state. How did this happen?
How was Saddam captured by the U.S. military?
The process of Saddam Hussein's capture by the US military was a thrilling manhunt. In March 2003, the United States launched a military attack on Iraq under the pretext that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, a war known as Operation Iraqi Freedom, which quickly destroyed Iraq's military and political system and collapsed Saddam's regime in just a few weeks. Saddam Hussein himself fled from the capital, Baghdad, and began a long career as a fugitive.
In order to completely eliminate Saddam, the United States sent a large number of special forces and intelligence personnel to search all parts of Iraq, and also offered a reward of $25 million, hoping that someone would provide Saddam's whereabouts.
However, Saddam Hussein was not an easy person to catch, and he used his influence and connections in Iraq to constantly change hiding places to avoid being pursued by the US military. He used to hide on farms, villages, basements, river banks, etc., and even once, he hid in the trunk of a taxi and was almost searched by the US military.
In this way, Saddam Hussein wandered around Iraq for nearly a year, during which he constantly made a voice to the outside world through audio tapes or cronies, encouraging the Iraqi people to resist the US occupation and organize guerrilla warfare.
However, his luck ran out on December 13, 2003. On that day, the U.S. military received a credible piece of information that Saddam Hussein was hiding on a farm near his hometown of Tikrit. The U.S. military immediately sent more than 600 soldiers to surround the farm and conduct a thorough search. Eventually, they found Saddam Hussein in a hole in the ground.
At that time, Saddam Hussein was unrecognizable, his hair and beard were disheveled, he wore only a cardigan and a pair of trousers, and he carried a pistol and two bundles of dollars. He did not put up any resistance, but only said to the US military: "I am Saddam Hussein, I am the president of Iraq, and I want to negotiate with you." However, instead of giving him any chance, the US military handcuffed him and took him to a prison in Baghdad, where he began to be interrogated and tortured.
What was Saddam's life like in a U.S. military prison?
Saddam's life in a U.S. military prison can be described in four words: hell on earth. He was kept in a small cell of only 9 square meters, with nothing but a bed, a table, a chair and a toilet.
There were no windows in the cell, only a lamp, which shone on him 24 hours a day, preventing him from sleeping. His every move was recorded by the camera, and he had no privacy even when he went to the toilet and bathed. His meals were all given by the U.S. military at random, sometimes some canned food and bread, sometimes some roast chicken and rice, but none of them had any seasonings, making him eat tasteless.
In addition to material deprivation, Saddam Hussein also suffered mental devastation. He is often bombarded by U.S. military interrogators and psychologists who try to extract his guilt from him by various means, such as whether he possesses weapons of mass destruction, whether he ordered the massacre of Kurds, whether he supports terrorism, and so on.
However, Saddam Hussein never refused to admit it, insisting that he was innocent, that he was the aggressor of the United States, and that he was the legitimate president of Iraq. He also made constant requests to the U.S. military, such as asking to see his lawyer, asking to see his family, asking to see his supporters, and so on. However, the U.S. military rejected his requests, leaving him isolated and making him feel hopeless and helpless.
What is even more terrifying is that Saddam Hussein was often physically tortured by the US military by various cruel means, such as electric shocks, waterboarding, poison gas, soldering irons, and other means, causing serious damage to his body.
However, Saddam Hussein did not give in, he did not beg for mercy from the US military, and he did not confess his guilt to the US military. He used his strength and pride to fight against the atrocities of the US military, he used his beliefs and ideals to support his life, and he used his courage and dignity to maintain his demeanor. He is an invincible warrior, he is an unyielding hero.
What impact did Saddam's death have on the United States and Iraq?
Saddam's death had a profound impact on both the United States and Iraq. For the United States, Saddam's death was a major victory in the Iraq War and an important achievement in their elimination of an evil dictator.
Both the US Government and the media have welcomed and praised Saddam's death, holding that it was a just trial and punishment and a turning point and milestone in history. Speaking after Saddam's execution, US President George W. Bush called it "a decision made by the Iraqi people for their future" and "the beginning of a new era."
However, this self-deception and self-satisfaction of the United States has not brought them real peace and security, but has brought them more troubles and crises. Saddam's death did not end the turmoil and violence in Iraq, but intensified the division and conflict in Iraq. Saddam's death did not eliminate the Iraqi people's hatred and resistance to the United States, but inspired the Iraqi people to hostile and resist the United States.
However, the Iraqi people, under the coercion and temptation of the United States, betrayed Saddam, abandoned Saddam, and killed Saddam. They thought that in this way they would be able to get rid of the control of the United States, that they would be able to achieve democracy and freedom, and that they would be able to enjoy peace and happiness.
However, they were wrong, they were very wrong. Saddam's death did not bring them the respect and support of the United States, but brought them the contempt and exploitation of the United States. Saddam's death did not bring them democracy and freedom, but brought them chaos and oppression. Saddam's death did not bring them peace and happiness, but brought them war and suffering. Saddam's death did not bring them light and a future, but brought them darkness and despair.
epilogue
Saddam's last night is a shocking and sad story, a story that makes people reflect and wake up. It shows a person's destiny and choices, the rise and fall of a country, and the vicissitudes of a country.
It allows us to see the light and darkness of human nature, the strength and weakness of justice, the cunning and stupidity of evil. It makes us think about the meaning and value of history, the dilemmas and challenges of reality, the direction and hope of the future, and the meaning and value of life.