Ba'ath Party Purge in 1979
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Not really sure how I stumbled on this, but imagine this happening today so publicly. In 1979, Saddam took power after his predecessor stepped down "for health reasons" (yeah, sure). Then, he calls an emergency meeting, where he basically reads off the names of nearly 70 party leaders who were executed. The way he smokes from the Castro-supplied cigar right before he reads the names is pretty cinematic, too.
Link to video -
Wiki article for details:
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I remember seeing that during the run-up to the Iraq war.
In the comments:
Up until 1998 this footage was not available publicly, it was originally filmed on purpose by order of Saddam to be distributed to all Iraqi consulates abroad to show them who the new boss is and what happens if you oppose him. And yes the men that were named and told to exit starting at 21:15 were all executed (shot to death) just one hour after this was filmed.
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Read this in the wiki, too:
Those arrested at the meeting were subsequently tried together and found guilty of treason. Twenty-two men, including five members of the Revolutionary Command Council, were sentenced to execution. Those spared were given weapons and directed to execute their comrades.
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Interesting piece of history. Typical behavior for a populist dictator.
