Biography
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri was an Iraqi politician and military officer who became one of Saddam Hussein's most trusted advisors. He held the position of Vice Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council until the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Born on July 1, 1942, in Ad-Dawr, the town where Saddam Hussein was later captured, al-Douri climbed the ranks of the Ba'ath Party to become a field marshal and the second most powerful figure in Iraq's government. His loyalty to Hussein and his strategic skills made him an essential part of the group that ruled Iraq for years.
After Baghdad fell in 2003, al-Douri became the highest-profile Ba'athist to evade capture by coalition forces. He was nicknamed the "King of Clubs" in the deck of most-wanted Iraqi playing cards issued by the U.S. military, showing his importance in the former regime. Instead of fleeing the country or surrendering, al-Douri stayed in Iraq and organized resistance efforts against the new government and occupying forces.
Al-Douri founded and led the Naqshbandi Army, which carried out insurgency operations against coalition forces and the Iraqi government. After Saddam Hussein's execution on December 30, 2006, al-Douri was confirmed as the new leader of the banned Iraqi Ba'ath Party on January 3, 2007. From this position, he continued to direct resistance activities and stayed in touch with Ba'athist remnants throughout Iraq and the region.
There was much confusion and conflicting reports surrounding his death. In April 2015, the Shiite militant group Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq claimed they had killed al-Douri during military operations near Tikrit, but the Ba'ath Party denied this, and al-Douri later appeared in videos that referenced events occurring after his supposed death. His actual death was confirmed on October 25, 2020, when both the Iraqi Ba'ath Party and Raghad Hussein, Saddam's daughter, announced his passing in Iraq.
Before Fame
Al-Douri grew up in Ad-Dawr, right in the area that would later become the core of Saddam Hussein's power in central Iraq. Born amid the political turmoil of 1940s Iraq, he came of age during a time of frequent military coups and increasing Arab nationalist feelings. The Ba'ath Party, which started in Syria in the 1940s aiming for Arab unity, socialism, and independence from foreign influence, set up its Iraqi branch in the 1950s and attracted young men like al-Douri who were eager to change their country's politics.
Al-Douri joined the Ba'ath Party during its early days in Iraq and showed the organizational skills and loyal dedication that would mark his career. He rose through the party ranks as the Ba'athists took power in 1968, followed by Saddam Hussein's firming grip in the 1970s. Al-Douri's local and tribal ties, along with his political insight, made him a key ally to Hussein during this crucial time in Iraq's recent history.
Key Achievements
- Served as Vice Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council under Saddam Hussein
- Successfully evaded capture for 17 years following the 2003 invasion of Iraq
- Founded and led the Naqshbandi Army insurgent group
- Became leader of the Iraqi Ba'ath Party following Saddam Hussein's execution in 2007
- Coordinated resistance operations against coalition forces and the Iraqi government
Did You Know?
- 01.He was born in the same town, Ad-Dawr, where Saddam Hussein was later captured by U.S. forces in December 2003
- 02.Al-Douri held the military rank of field marshal despite having no formal military academy training
- 03.He was one of only two people in the deck of most-wanted Iraqi playing cards to successfully evade capture until his natural death
- 04.The Naqshbandi Army he founded was named after a Sufi Islamic order, despite the Ba'ath Party's secular ideology
- 05.His death was falsely reported in 2015, and he appeared in subsequent videos to disprove the claims