The interview sheds light on the internal dynamics of Iraq's leadership prior to the invasion, revealing a disconnect between Saddam Hussein's perceptions and the realities of international politics.
Al-Azzawi's testimony illustrates the confusion and lack of information among the Iraqi populace during the early stages of the invasion, emphasizing the role of media access in shaping public awareness.
The narrative of Al-Azzawi's arrest highlights the complexities of the American military's approach to detaining Iraqi officials, particularly those not on the official wanted list.
In a recent interview on Al Jazeera's 'Witness to the Era' program, former Iraqi Intelligence Director Fadhel Al-Azzawi recounted his experiences during the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. He expressed that the late President Saddam Hussein had a significant misjudgment of international dynamics, asserting that Iraq stood no chance against the coalition forces. Al-Azzawi highlighted that initiatives for Saddam's resignation, including one from UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, were ignored by Saddam, which he believes contributed to Iraq's downfall.
Al-Azzawi described the chaotic atmosphere during the initial days of the invasion, noting that the Iraqi populace was largely unaware of the unfolding events due to limited access to communication and media. He shared personal anecdotes, including a trip to his farm where he encountered the destruction caused by American tanks and the presence of Iraqi armored vehicles.
On May 2, 2003, while attending a condolence gathering for his father, Al-Azzawi was arrested by American forces. He recounted being taken in his car, along with a convoy of armored vehicles, to an undisclosed location. Initially treated with respect, he was later imprisoned at Baghdad International Airport, where he lost his luxury car and watch to the Americans. Interestingly, despite being a high-ranking official, he was not on the US Department of Defense's list of 55 wanted Iraqi officials, which included Saddam Hussein.
