Uday Hussein

Uday Hussein
Name	Uday Hussein
Birth date	18 June 1964
Birth place	Baghdad, Iraq
Death date	22 July 2003
Death place	Mosul, Iraq
Parents	Saddam Hussein, Sajida Talfah
Relatives	Qusay Hussein (brother), Raghad Hussein (sister)
Education	University of Baghdad
Known for	Fedayeen Saddam commander, Iraqi National Olympic Committee chairman

Uday Hussein. He was the eldest son of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his first wife, Sajida Talfah. A prominent and feared figure within the Ba'athist regime, he held significant influence over the country's media, sports, and paramilitary forces. His notorious reputation for extreme violence, erratic behavior, and involvement in numerous human rights abuses made him a symbol of the regime's brutality both domestically and internationally.

Early life and family

Uday Hussein was born in Baghdad into the powerful Al-Bu Nasir tribe, which formed the core of his father's political support. His mother, Sajida Talfah, was the daughter of Saddam's uncle and mentor, Khairallah Talfah. He grew up alongside his younger brothers, Qusay Hussein and Udai Hussein, and his sisters, Raghad Hussein and Rana Hussein. From an early age, he was immersed in the political environment of the Ba'ath Party, which seized definitive control of Iraq in a 1968 coup. His childhood and adolescence were marked by the escalating political violence of the era, including the consolidation of his father's power and the early years of the Iran–Iraq War.

Education and early career

He attended primary and secondary schools in Baghdad before enrolling at the University of Baghdad to study civil engineering. His academic career was reportedly undistinguished and overshadowed by his growing notoriety for violent outbursts. In the 1980s, his father began to grant him control over various organizations, initially appointing him to oversee the Iraqi National Olympic Committee. He also took a leading role at the state-run newspaper Babil and the youth television network Shabab TV, using these platforms to promote regime propaganda and cultivate a public image. During the Iran–Iraq War, he was kept away from frontline combat but was given ceremonial military ranks.

Role in the Iraqi government

Although never holding a formal cabinet position, he wielded immense unofficial power through his control of key institutions. He commanded the Fedayeen Saddam, a paramilitary force notorious for its brutality in suppressing internal dissent. As chairman of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, he was accused of torturing athletes who performed poorly. He also managed a vast business empire, profiting from smuggling operations and monopolies on imports like Mercedes-Benz automobiles. His influence extended over the Ministry of Information and he was a dominant figure in the Iraqi media landscape, often using it to attack his political rivals within the regime.

Personal life and controversies

His personal life was characterized by extreme hedonism, violence, and criminal behavior. He was known for lavish parties at his palaces, which included allegations of abduction and rape. In 1988, he brutally murdered his father's valet, Kamel Hana Gegeo, at a party in Jordan, an act that led to his brief imprisonment and temporary fall from favor. He maintained a private zoo with exotic animals and owned a collection of luxury cars. His erratic and sadistic conduct created widespread fear in Baghdad, and he was implicated in the murders of numerous Iraqi citizens, including prominent figures like Lt. Gen. Adnan Khairallah.

Injury and health issues

In December 1996, he survived an assassination attempt in the Mansour district of Baghdad. The attack, allegedly carried out by Islamic Dawa Party operatives, left him with severe spinal injuries that paralyzed him from the waist down. This required extensive medical treatment, including surgeries in France and Switzerland. The injuries left him permanently disabled, reliant on a wheelchair, and suffering from chronic pain. This physical decline reportedly intensified his volatile personality and led to increased use of painkillers, but did not diminish his political activities or control over his various fiefdoms.

Death and aftermath

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq led by the United States Armed Forces, he and his brother Qusay Hussein became high-priority targets. After the fall of Baghdad, they evaded capture for several months. On 22 July 2003, Coalition forces tracked them to a safe house in Mosul, owned by a relative. A fierce six-hour gun battle ensued with elements of the 101st Airborne Division and U.S. Special Forces. Both Uday and Qusay, along with Qusay's son Mustapha Hussein and a bodyguard, were killed in the assault. Their deaths were confirmed by DNA testing and announced by L. Paul Bremer, effectively ending any potential for a dynastic succession within the former regime.

Category:1964 births Category:2003 deaths Category:Iraqi people