Biography
Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr was an Iraqi military officer and politician who was the fourth President of Iraq from 1968 to 1979. He was born on July 1, 1914, in Tikrit. As a key figure in the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, he had a big impact on Iraqi politics during the late 20th century, being involved in military coups and helping establish Ba'athist rule in Iraq.
Al-Bakr gained attention after the July 14, 1957, Revolution that overthrew the Iraqi monarchy. In the newly formed republic, he worked on strengthening ties with the Soviet Union and supporting Arab nationalist goals. However, in 1959, he was forced to leave the Iraqi military, accused of anti-government activities by Prime Minister Abd al-Karim Qasim's regime. This led him to devote all his efforts to organizing politically within the Ba'ath Party.
After leaving the military, al-Bakr became chairman of the Ba'ath Party's Military Bureau in Iraq, using this role to gather supporters. When the Ramadan Revolution overthrew Qasim on February 8, 1963, al-Bakr became Prime Minister and then Vice President in a Ba'ath-Nasserist coalition. However, this government was overthrown in November 1963, and al-Bakr and his party were again forced into hiding.
From 1963 to 1968, while in opposition, al-Bakr was elected Secretary General of the Iraqi branch of the Ba'ath Party and made his cousin Saddam Hussein his deputy. This partnership would shape Iraqi politics for the decade to come. Al-Bakr successfully led the July 17, 1968, coup, also known as the 17 July Revolution, which put the Ba'ath Party back in power for good. As President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, al-Bakr boosted the economy with oil revenues and introduced socialist policies. His presidency ended in 1979 when Saddam Hussein, who had gained significant power as deputy chairman, gradually supplanted him. Al-Bakr passed away in Baghdad on October 4, 1982.
Before Fame
Al-Bakr was born into a Sunni Arab family in Tikrit, a town that would later produce several well-known Iraqi political figures. He went to the Iraqi Military Academy in Rustamiyah, which shaped his early views and gave him important connections that helped in his political career. The academy training gave him both military discipline and exposure to the growing nationalist and anti-monarchist feelings among young Iraqi officers in the 1930s and 1940s.
His rise to prominence was helped by the unstable political scene in mid-20th century Iraq, where military officers often played key roles in changing governments. The monarchy's close ties to Britain and perceived neglect of Arab nationalist causes led to widespread discontent among the military, creating fertile ground for revolutionary movements like the Ba'ath Party that promoted both Arab unity and socialist economic reforms.
Key Achievements
- Led the successful 17 July 1968 coup that brought the Ba'ath Party to permanent power in Iraq
- Served as President of Iraq for eleven years from 1968 to 1979, providing political stability during a turbulent regional period
- Oversaw significant Iraqi economic growth through nationalization of oil resources and socialist economic policies
- Established the Revolutionary Command Council as the supreme governing body, creating a new political structure for Ba'athist rule
- Successfully rebuilt the Ba'ath Party organization during the underground period from 1963-1968 following their first ouster from power
Did You Know?
- 01.He was awarded the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic by Spain in 1978, one of the highest honors that country can bestow on a foreign leader.
- 02.Al-Bakr received the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta from Poland, reflecting Iraq's diplomatic relationships with Eastern European socialist countries during his presidency.
- 03.Despite being cousins, the relationship between al-Bakr and Saddam Hussein gradually shifted from mentorship to rivalry, ultimately leading to al-Bakr's political marginalization.
- 04.He was forced to resign from the Iraqi military in 1959 specifically due to his Ba'athist political activities, which the Qasim government viewed as subversive.
- 05.Al-Bakr served as both President and Prime Minister simultaneously for several years, concentrating executive power in his position as head of the Revolutionary Command Council.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic | 1978 | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta | — | — |