One of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq. All photos: AFP
One of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq. All photos: AFP
Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by the former dictator.
Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by the former dictator.
A portrait of Saddam can be seen on one of his palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort. Graffiti in Arabic reads "not entry".
A portrait of Saddam can be seen on one of his palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort. Graffiti in Arabic reads "not entry".
Some of the buildings are in use, but many are in ruins like much of the war-scarred country.
Some of the buildings are in use, but many are in ruins like much of the war-scarred country.
A picture shows one of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq on January 17, 2022. - Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by former dictator Saddam Hussein -- some in use, many in ruins like much of the war-scarred country. With their marble columns, ornate carvings and gaudy furniture, they reflected the delusions of grandeur and the megalomania of Saddam, who visited some of them only once or twice. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
A picture shows one of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq on January 17, 2022. - Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by former dictator Saddam Hussein -- some in use, many in ruins like much of the war-scarred country. With their marble columns, ornate carvings and gaudy furniture, they reflected the delusions of grandeur and the megalomania of Saddam, who visited some of them only once or twice. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Most of his palaces were looted during the chaos of the invasion, when thieves scavenged all they could carry, even ripping electric cables out of walls.
Most of his palaces were looted during the chaos of the invasion, when thieves scavenged all they could carry, even ripping electric cables out of walls.
Only a handful of the palatial residences have been given a second lease of life, often as military bases or public administrations, more rarely as museums.
Only a handful of the palatial residences have been given a second lease of life, often as military bases or public administrations, more rarely as museums.
Most lie empty, in part because the cost of renovating them is prohibitive.
Most lie empty, in part because the cost of renovating them is prohibitive.
'We can turn palaces into museums, at least in Baghdad -- a tapestry museum, for example, or on the royal family or Islamic art,' said Laith Majid Hussein, director of the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage.
'We can turn palaces into museums, at least in Baghdad -- a tapestry museum, for example, or on the royal family or Islamic art,' said Laith Majid Hussein, director of the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage.
But Mr Hussein conceded that rehabilitating many of Iraq's "gigantic castles" would require "astronomical sums".
But Mr Hussein conceded that rehabilitating many of Iraq's "gigantic castles" would require "astronomical sums".
Red tape and entrenched corruption are other hurdles.
Red tape and entrenched corruption are other hurdles.
Bureaucracy and corruption hinder the restoration of these palaces to turn them into tourist complexes or heritage centres,' Mr Hussein said.
Bureaucracy and corruption hinder the restoration of these palaces to turn them into tourist complexes or heritage centres,' Mr Hussein said.
A palace complex near Baghdad International Airport.
A palace complex near Baghdad International Airport.
Another view of the palace complex near Baghdad Airport.
Another view of the palace complex near Baghdad Airport.
In the turmoil of war, many palaces and monuments were damaged in fighting or used as bases by US and other foreign forces.
In the turmoil of war, many palaces and monuments were damaged in fighting or used as bases by US and other foreign forces.
In Baghdad, three palaces now house the presidency and the prime minister's offices.
In Baghdad, three palaces now house the presidency and the prime minister's offices.
An inscription in Arabic reading 'Allahu Akbar' (God is great) in a palace complex near Baghdad's airport.
An inscription in Arabic reading 'Allahu Akbar' (God is great) in a palace complex near Baghdad's airport.
Iraq has a total of Saddam-era 166 residences, villas and other complexes.
Iraq has a total of Saddam-era 166 residences, villas and other complexes.
A former palace complex which has been turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra.
A former palace complex which has been turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra.
An architect from the former regime said that since 2003 Iraqi governments had built little and proven unable 'to match what Saddam erected'.
An architect from the former regime said that since 2003 Iraqi governments had built little and proven unable 'to match what Saddam erected'.
In the southern city of Basra, three palaces remain.
In the southern city of Basra, three palaces remain.
Two are used by the Hashed al-Shaabi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance now integrated into the Iraqi regular forces.
Two are used by the Hashed al-Shaabi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance now integrated into the Iraqi regular forces.
The third has become a prestigious antiquities museum.
The third has become a prestigious antiquities museum.
Part of the palace complex turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra.
Part of the palace complex turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra.
The antiquities museum in Basra.
The antiquities museum in Basra.
One of the palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq.
One of the palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq.
A portrait of Saddam on one of his palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort.
A portrait of Saddam on one of his palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort.
A picture of the interior of the palace complex near Baghdad International Airport.
A picture of the interior of the palace complex near Baghdad International Airport.
In Babylon province, authorities plan to turn a palace overlooking the Unesco World Heritage site there into a museum.
In Babylon province, authorities plan to turn a palace overlooking the Unesco World Heritage site there into a museum.
Billions of dollars were spent on lavish structures with gold and marble fittings – no expense was spared.
Billions of dollars were spent on lavish structures with gold and marble fittings – no expense was spared.
The Iraqi government now owns all the dictator's former residences. Some think the palaces should be restored — even if the history is full of horrors. Others believe they should be left to fall apart, taking memories of war and death with them.
The Iraqi government now owns all the dictator's former residences. Some think the palaces should be restored — even if the history is full of horrors. Others believe they should be left to fall apart, taking memories of war and death with them.

MENA

Saddam Hussein's abandoned palaces - in pictures

The Iraqi government now owns all the dictator's former residences. Some think the palaces should be restored — even if the history is full of horrors. Others believe they should be left to fall apart.

The National

February 03, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Updated: February 03, 2022, 12:26 PM
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