Career Timeline of Saddam Hussein: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Saddam Hussein built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Saddam Hussein was the fifth president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003, following the American invasion. He was a key member of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party and advocated for Ba'athism, blending Arab nationalism and socialism. His political ideology is known as Saddamism. He previously served as Vice President (1968-1979) and Prime Minister (1979-1991, 1994-2003). His rule ended with his overthrow and subsequent capture.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1948: Saddam commemorated for involvement in the 1948 Palestine War

Saddam Hussein received numerous medals from the Iraqi state commemorating his involvement or leadership during various events, including the 1948 Palestine War.

1957: Joined the Ba'ath Party

In 1957, Saddam Hussein joined the revolutionary Ba'ath Party, marking the beginning of his political career.

1957: Dropped out of Law School to Join Ba'ath Party

In 1957, at the age of 20, Saddam Hussein dropped out of an Iraqi law school to join the revolutionary pan-Arab Ba'ath Party.

1963: Saddam commemorated for involvement in the 1963 revolution

Saddam Hussein received numerous medals from the Iraqi state commemorating his involvement or leadership during various events, including the 1963 revolution.

September 1966: Challenge to Syrian Domination

In September 1966, Saddam Hussein initiated a challenge to Syrian domination of the Ba'ath Party, leading to the party's formal split into two factions.

July 1968: Participation in a Bloodless Coup

In July 1968, Saddam Hussein participated in a bloodless coup led by Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr that overthrew Abdul Rahman Arif, marking a significant event in his rise to power.

1968: Vice Presidency

In 1968, Saddam Hussein became the vice president of Iraq, a position he held until 1979.

1968: Saddam commemorated for involvement in the 1968 revolution

Saddam Hussein received numerous medals from the Iraqi state commemorating his involvement or leadership during various events, including the 1968 revolution.

1969: Moving Force Behind the Party

By 1969, Saddam Hussein had become the moving force behind the Ba'ath Party, despite al-Bakr being the older and more prestigious leader.

1970: Saddam commemorated for involvement in peace in 1970

Saddam Hussein received numerous medals from the Iraqi state commemorating his involvement or leadership during various events, including peace in 1970.

June 1972: Seizure of International Oil Interests

In June 1972, Saddam Hussein oversaw the seizure of international oil interests in Iraq, which at the time dominated the country's oil sector.

1972: Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union

In 1972, Saddam Hussein signed a 15-year Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union.

1973: Shift to Pro-Arab Policy in France

Following the oil crisis of 1973, France shifted to a more pro-Arab policy and was rewarded by Saddam Hussein with closer ties.

1973: Energy Crisis and Rising Oil Prices

In 1973, the world oil prices rose dramatically as a result of the 1973 energy crisis. This led to skyrocketing revenues enabling Saddam to expand his agenda.

1973: Saddam commemorated for involvement in the 1973 Yom Kippur War

Saddam Hussein received numerous medals from the Iraqi state commemorating his involvement or leadership during various events, including the 1973 Yom Kippur War with Israel.

December 1974: Visit to Spain

In December 1974, Saddam Hussein visited Spain at the invitation of Francisco Franco, and toured Madrid, Granada, Córdoba, and Toledo.

1974: Agricultural Development Expenditures Doubled

In 1974, the Ba'athist government doubled expenditures for agricultural development.

March 1975: Signing of the Algiers Agreement

On March 6, 1975, Iran and Iraq signed the Algiers Agreement, mediated by Algerian President Houari Boumediene, to settle border disputes and improve bilateral relations. Under the accord, Iraq was granted sovereignty over the eastern bank of the Shatt al-Arab waterway, while Iran retained control over the western bank. Following the agreement, Iraq and Iran restored full diplomatic relations and exchanged ambassadors.

September 1975: Meeting with Jacques Chirac in Paris

In September 1975, Saddam Hussein met with Prime Minister Jacques Chirac in Paris, France, further cementing close ties with French business and political circles.

1975: Algiers Agreement

In 1975, Saddam Hussein signed the Algiers Agreement with Iran, which settled territorial disputes along the Iran-Iraq border.

1975: Agricultural Development Expenditures Doubled

In 1975, the Ba'athist government doubled expenditures for agricultural development.

1976: Promotion to General in the Iraqi Armed Forces

In 1976, Saddam Hussein rose to the position of general in the Iraqi armed forces, rapidly becoming the strongman of the government.

1977: Saddam Hussein on faith and atheism

In 1977, Saddam Hussein stated that "our Party does not take a neutral stance between faith and atheism; it is always on the side of faith."

1978: Arab League Summit in Baghdad

In 1978, Baghdad hosted an Arab League summit that condemned and ostracized Egypt for accepting the Camp David Accords, with Saddam Hussein leading the Arab opposition.

July 1979: Assumption of the Presidency

On July 16, 1979, Saddam Hussein forced the ailing al-Bakr to resign and formally assumed the presidency of Iraq, securing his grip on power.

1979: De Facto Leader of Iraq

By 1979, Saddam Hussein was the de facto leader of Iraq, taking on an increasingly prominent role as the face of the government both internally and externally as al-Bakr became unable to execute his duties.

1979: Presidency and Premiership

In 1979, Saddam Hussein became the fifth president of Iraq, serving until 2003, and also served as prime minister from 1979 to 1991.

1979: Formal Ascension to Power

In 1979, following al-Bakr's resignation, Saddam Hussein formally took power, solidifying his leadership in Iraq.

1980: Arms Imports

Between 1980 and 1988, the Soviet Union, France, and China accounted for over 90% of the value of Iraq's arms imports during the Iran-Iraq War.

1980: Saddam receives key to Detroit

In 1980, Saddam Hussein received a ceremonial key to the city of Detroit after donating nearly half a million dollars to a local church.

1980: Women Granted Full Suffrage

In 1980, Saddam Hussein's government granted women full suffrage and the right to run for office.

1982: Soviet Union Begins Supplying Iraq

By 1982, the Soviet Union began supplying Iraq with military aid, marking a shift from its initial refusal based on neutrality in the conflict with Iran.

1982: US Support

In 1982, the United States government supplied Iraq with satellite photos showing Iranian deployments, which may have played a crucial role in blocking the Iranian invasion of Iraq.

February 1986: Blame for Defeat

In February 1986, Saddam's government blamed the Iraqi defeat in the First Battle of al-Faw on "misinformation from the U.S."

1986: Increased Soviet Support

From 1986 to 1988, in the final years of the Iran-Iraq war, the Soviet Union actively supported Iraq, reversing its initial stance of neutrality and providing military aid.

July 1988: Iran Accepts Resolution 598

On 20 July 1988, Iran accepted Resolution 598 of the United Nations Security Council. This acceptance was largely influenced by diminished morale, economic hardship, and the success of Iraq's Tawakalna ala Allah Operations, paving the way for a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq War.

August 1988: Ceasefire Accepted

On 20 August 1988, Iran accepted Resolution 598, signaling a ceasefire, primarily due to a combination of factors including poor morale, economic collapse, and the success of Iraq's Tawakalna ala Allah Operations. This brought the Iran-Iraq war to an end after years of hostilities.

1988: Arms Imports

Between 1980 and 1988, the Soviet Union, France, and China accounted for over 90% of the value of Iraq's arms imports during the Iran-Iraq War.

1988: Soviet Support for Iraq

By 1988, in the final years of the Iran-Iraq war (1986–1988), the Soviet Union actively supported Iraq, reversing its initial stance of neutrality and providing military aid.

August 1990: Invasion of Kuwait

On 2 August 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, initially claiming to assist Kuwaiti revolutionaries, triggering an international crisis. By 28 August, Kuwait was formally declared the 19th Governorate of Iraq.

January 1991: Start of Operation Desert Storm

On 16 January 1991, a U.S.-led coalition launched round-the-clock missile and aerial attacks on Iraq. This operation was backed by the Security Council and aimed to liberate Kuwait.

February 1991: Ejection from Kuwait

In February 1991, a ground force consisting largely of U.S. and British armored and infantry divisions ejected Saddam's army from Kuwait, occupying the southern portion of Iraq as far as the Euphrates.

1991: Saddam awarded Order of the Mother of Battles

In 1991, Saddam Hussein received the Order of the Mother of Battles for his role in the Gulf War against Kuwait and the United States.

1991: Saddam awarded the Order of the Two Rivers

In 1991, Saddam Hussein was awarded the Order of the Two Rivers, Iraq's highest honor, for his "historic role" and "noble services to Iraq". The award was given during his 54th birthday.

1991: End of First Premiership

In 1991, Saddam Hussein's first term as prime minister of Iraq came to an end.

1993: Greater emphasis on Islam

From 1993 through the Faith Campaign, Saddam's regime placed a greater emphasis on Islam in all sectors of Iraqi life.

1994: Return to Premiership

In 1994, Saddam Hussein began his second term as the prime minister of Iraq, a position he held until 2003.

1995: Saddam's referendum results

In the 1995 referendum, Saddam Hussein reportedly received 99.96% of the votes with a 99.47% turnout.

2000: Support for Palestinians and Establishment of Jerusalem Army

In 2000, following the outbreak of the Second Intifada, Saddam Hussein openly expressed solidarity with the Palestinians. He also established the Jerusalem Army, a volunteer force, and provided financial assistance to the families of Palestinian victims and militants, directing around 20% of Iraq's oil revenue to Palestinians.

2002: Saddam's referendum results

In the 2002 referendum, Saddam Hussein officially achieved 100% of approval votes and 100% turnout, with all 11,445,638 eligible voters reportedly casting a "Yes" vote.