Saddam-era 'red devil' leader Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri reported dead - again
Source: Jerusalem Post
Saddam-era ‘red devil’ leader Douri reported dead – again
After the US invasion al-Douri vanished and became one of the world's most wanted men. His family was detained but he evaded capture.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN OCTOBER 26, 2020 16:19
An infamous Saddam-era Ba’ath Party general has been reported dead in Iraq. It is at least the fourth time he has reportedly died, although this time the remnants of the party have announced Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri’s demise.
“In the face of this momentous event, we are confident, fellow militant comrades, that you will follow the will of our late comrade who called us all, may God have mercy on him, to persevere in principles, to be patient and calm, and to adhere to the principles of the Baath, its system of morals, organizational traditions and values; to continue, perpetuate and enhance the momentum of our struggle for our people,” the Ba’ath Party announced.
Douri was born in 1942 near Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit. He was interior minister in the 1960s and was instrumental in transforming Iraq under Saddam. He eventually led the Revolutionary Command Council and was a key figure in the Iran-Iraq War.
He also was involved in genocide against Kurds and suppressing Shi’ites. He was responsible for encouraging more religious devotion in the ostensibly secular Ba’athist Iraq. He threatened Israel in 2000 during the Second Intifada.
After the US invasion, Douri vanished and became one of the world’s most wanted men. His family was detained, but he evaded capture. He resurfaced as part of the Iraqi Sunni-led insurgency and was linked to the Naqshbandi group of insurgents. He was named head of the Ba’ath Party after Saddam’s capture and execution in 2006.
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Read more:
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/saddam-era-red-devil-leader-al-douri-reported-dead-again-646949
