Saddam Hussain - the rise and the fall down -

Beginnings

**Chapter 1: Beginnings**

Saddam Hussein, born on April 28, 1937, in the small, impoverished village of Al-Awja near Tikrit, Iraq, entered a world fraught with hardship and political instability. His early years were characterized by profound adversity. Saddam's father, Hussein Abd al-Majid, either died or abandoned the family before his birth, leaving his mother, Subha Tulfah al-Mussallat, to cope with the overwhelming burden of raising a child alone in a deeply patriarchal society. The loss profoundly affected her, and she even attempted to abort the pregnancy and later gave Saddam away to an uncle for a period.

When Subha remarried, Saddam's stepfather, Ibrahim al-Hassan, proved to be harsh and abusive. This created a tumultuous and oppressive environment during Saddam's formative years. The family lived in poverty, and young Saddam often had to endure the brunt of his stepfather's cruelty. These early experiences of instability, violence, and deprivation left indelible marks on his psyche, fostering a sense of resilience and an early understanding of power dynamics.

Seeking a better future, at the age of ten, Saddam moved to Baghdad to live with his maternal uncle, Khairallah Talfah. Talfah was a fervent nationalist and a former army officer who had been expelled from the military after participating in a failed coup attempt against the British-installed monarchy in 1941. He became a significant influence on Saddam, instilling in him a deep sense of Iraqi nationalism and a profound resentment toward foreign intervention and control.

Under Talfah’s guidance, Saddam was exposed to nationalist ideas and the tumultuous political climate of post-colonial Iraq. Talfah’s ideologies and connections opened doors for Saddam, providing him with an education and instilling in him the importance of political strategy and loyalty. During his time in Baghdad, Saddam attended a nationalist secondary school, where he began to form his early political consciousness and ambitions.

These formative years were crucial in shaping Saddam’s character and worldview. The combination of his early hardships, the influence of his nationalist uncle, and his experiences in the politically charged environment of Baghdad forged a young man who was determined, ruthless, and unwavering in his pursuit of power. This early foundation set the stage for Saddam’s future rise within the ranks of the Ba'ath Party and ultimately, his ascent to the presidency of Iraq.