born April 28, 1937, Tikrīt, Iraq
President of Iraq (1979–2003).
He joined the Iran-Iraq War , 1980–90) and Kuwait (First Persian Gulf War , 1990–91), both of which he lost. He instituted a brutal dictatorship and directed intensive campaigns against minorities within Iraq, particularly the Kurd s. U.S. fears regarding his development of weapons of mass destruction led to Western sanctions against Iraq. Sanctions were followed by an Anglo-American invasion in 2003 (Second Persian Gulf War ) that drove him from power. After several months in hiding, he was captured by U.S. forces. See also {{link=Pan-Arabism">Pan-Arabism .