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Iraqis Mark Saddam's Death

Heightened security greets first anniversary of Hussein's execution

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2007 9:51 AM CST
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(Newser) – "There is no life without the sun and no dignity without Saddam," read graffiti in the former Iraqi leader’s hometown of Tikrit today, the first anniversary of his execution. Small groups of mourners came to his tomb to praise Saddam Hussein’s accomplishments, reports Reuters, amid tightened security in anticipation of attacks by die-hard supporters.

"A year has passed, (and) things are worse—we are ruled by Iran and America. The leader has been killed to satisfy Iran," said a Tikrit resident. While conscious of the threat of pro-Saddam violence, US officials believe it unlikely as many Saddam supporters have joined “concerned local citizen” militias to defend their neighborhoods from al-Qaeda in Iraq.

An old Iraqi bank note bearing a picture of ousted Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein is displayed for sale on December 30, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Suppoprters of the former dictator are expected to gather at his burial site in Tikrit for the first anniversary of his execution, prompting security forces...
An old Iraqi bank note bearing a picture of ousted Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein is displayed for sale on December 30, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Suppoprters of the former dictator are expected to gather...   (Getty Images)
An Iraqi soldier frisks a man at a checkpoint near Beirut square, east of Baghdad, 30 December 2007. Security forces were on alert today in the Sunni regions of Iraq where Saddam Hussein drew his most fervent support, as loyalists of the ousted dictator marked the first anniversary of his...
An Iraqi soldier frisks a man at a checkpoint near Beirut square, east of Baghdad, 30 December 2007. Security forces were on alert today in the Sunni regions of Iraq where Saddam Hussein drew his most...   (Getty Images)
An Iraqi special forces soldier looks through binoculars as he controls the traffic at a checkpoint near Beirut square, east of Baghdad, 30 December 2007. Security forces were on alert today in the Sunni regions of Iraq where Saddam Hussein drew his most fervent support, as loyalists of the ousted...
An Iraqi special forces soldier looks through binoculars as he controls the traffic at a checkpoint near Beirut square, east of Baghdad, 30 December 2007. Security forces were on alert today in the Sunni...   (Getty Images)
An Iraqi seller shows a rug bearing a picture of former Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein at his shop on December 30, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Suppoprters of the former dictator are expected to gather at his burial site in Tikrit for the first anniversary of his execution, prompting security forces...
An Iraqi seller shows a rug bearing a picture of former Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein at his shop on December 30, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Suppoprters of the former dictator are expected to gather at his...   (Getty Images)
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Sunni Iraqis recall Saddam's last appearance in Baghdad
AFP

Saddam's execution was a false start for the new Iraq
Daily Times (Pakistan)

Iraq on high alert on first Saddam anniversary
Forbes

 
Iraq • Iran • Saddam Hussein • execution • Tikrit • al-Qaeda in Iraq

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