Word: kassem
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Saddam's first venture into subversive politics came in 1956 when, as a new member of the Baath Party, he participated in an abortive coup against King Faisal II. The task was completed two years later by military strongman Abdul Karim Kassem. When the Baathists fared no better under the new regime, Saddam was tapped by the party in 1959 to assassinate Kassem. That attempt also failed, but Saddam emerged a hero as stories circulated of how he had a companion dig a bullet from his leg with a penknife, then to Syria disguised as a Bedouin...