Encyclopedia of Islam

Husayn, Saddam

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and sometimes taking gambles. The invasion 

resulted in a devastating loss against a 30-state 

coalition led by the United States. Over the fol-

lowing decade, Husayn fought for the survival 

of his regime and to maintain Iraq’s territorial 

unity and sovereignty. He ultimately lost the 

battle to stay in power following the 2003 U.S.-

British invasion of Iraq. After his capture by the 

U.S. military, he continued to deny that Iraq had 

weapons of mass destruction. In 2005, he and a 

number of former Baathist associates were placed 

on trial by a special Iraqi tribunal for genocide, 

crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Saddam 

Husayn was sentenced to death and hanged on 

December 30, 2006.

See also g

UlF

 s

tates

; g

UlF

 W

ars

; 

secUlarism

.

Gregory Mack