Saddam Hussein's daughter, Ragad Hussain, spoke openly about marriage and fatherhood in childhood

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Saddam Hussein’s daughter, Ragad Hussain, spoke openly about marriage and fatherhood in childhood

Read Time:6 Minute, 45 Second

Ragad Hussain, the elder daughter of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, was married when she studied in school.

At that time, he was just 15 years old. At the time of marriage, there was a war in Iraq and Iran. In February 1996, at the age of 25, Ragad got divorced at the behest of his family and his husband was killed two days after the divorce.

Ragad was married to Saddam Hussein’s cousin Hussein Camel Al Majid. Hussain Camel was then under the protection of Saddam Hussein. Saddam’s second daughter, Rana Saddam, was also married to Saddam Camel Al Majid, the brother of Hussein Camel.

There is a very sad story of the marriage, divorce, and murder of their daughters. In 2018, the name of Ragad Saddam Hussein was put on the list of Most Wanted by the then Iraqi government.

Ragad Saddam Hussein has said many important things in his personal life in an interview to al-Arabiya. Ragad was asked whether he was pressurized by his father Saddam Hussein for this marriage or by his own mind?

Marriage with your mind

In response, Raghad said, “My father did not pressurize any of his five children to marry.” In front of his daughters, someone also proposed for marriage, then he asked us what to do. He had given complete freedom. I was a teenager then. It was a summer afternoon. My father knocked on the door and came into the room. I was taking a nap and woke up with a lot of love. He sat on the bed next to me. He asked how well. Then they asked do you have a boyfriend? He also mentioned his name.

Ragad said that the marriage was to be held within the family, so it was not a very uncomfortable situation.

“My father said that you are free to accept or reject the relationship.” When he was saying all this, I was ashamed. Then he said, daughter, you should tell your decision to your mother. Hussein Camel al-Majid was in my father’s defense team, so he met Saddam Hussein daily. My father used to call the rest of the bodyguards at lunch, in which they were also involved. ”

“We both started loving each other. My mother knew. I was a child then, but love soon turned into a marriage. I used to study only in school then. Even after marriage, I continued my studies and completed my graduation. My husband was not in favor of my studies but I completed my studies. Perhaps my husband has done this due to jealousy. There was no security in Iraq then, so this could not be a reason for insisting not to go to school. However, my husband used to give me both love and respect. He also respected my parents.

‘ Father does not compare love ‘

“My father loved me innocently.” It cannot be compared to anyone. The love they gave, can neither be compared to my husband nor to my children. ”

Ragad said that she was small and studied in the school during the Iraq-Iran war. Sharing his memories related to that war, Raghad said, “Then we had another house. We could go there too. One day I did not go to school because there was a heavy bombing. My father came in army dress and said why didn’t you go to school. I said about the dangers of war, then their answer was that the remaining children of Iraq are also going to school, you should also go. He said that if you go to school, then the courage of the remaining children studying in the school will increase. You should also take care of them. My father wanted us not to have any privileges due to being the children of Saddam Hussein. My brothers lost their lives in defense of Iraq. ”

Ragad said that she did not participate in political decisions, but was part of many humanitarian decisions. Ragad said that in many cases there was an argument with my husband.

Conflict between husband and father

Ragad also spoke on the bitterness in the relationship between her husband Hussain Camel and father Saddam Hussein. Ragad said, “I was not alone, whose husband was killed.” Then a large number of women in Iraq lost their men. These included her husband, father and children. My husband went to Jordan in August 1995. They contacted me on the go. I thought if they stay here, the blood will be bad. This would happen in the family only. That is why I supported his decision to leave Iraq. Being the daughter of Saddam Hussein, it was not easy for me to go to other countries. However, we were warmly welcomed in Jordan. Never felt like I am an outsider. But when it was made public at the press conference, I had no idea what would be said.

Ragad said in this interview, “After going to Jordan, I had no idea what would be said in the press conference.”

In this press conference, Hussain Camel spoke against Saddam Hussein. Hussein Camel said that Saddam’s rule was shaken by his arrival in Jordan. Camel had asked Iraqi soldiers to be ready for a change of power

Ragad Hussain

Asylum in Jordan

Hussain Camel al-Majid and his brother Saddam Camel al-Majid left Iraq in 1995 and came to Jordan in the second week of August. Along with both brothers, his wife Ragad and Rana were also there.

Both the brothers then used to see the great confidant of Saddam Hussein and the whole work of the army. It is said that he was the brain behind Iraq’s weapons program. When he came to Jordan, he was accompanied by 15 officers of the Iraqi Army. King Hussein had sheltered there when he came to Jordan and Saddam Hussein was very angry about it.

Then US President Bill Clinton welcomed King’s decision.

After all, what was the reason for the rift between Ragad’s father Saddam Hussein and husband Hussein Camel? In response, Raghad says, “My husband’s star was getting elevated. After my father, he started to hold the second position in Iraq. He had a role. This was due to a close relationship with the family. He had the ability to take decisions. He had the courage to play every role properly. He was moving ahead in this matter before marrying me. When we got married, Hussain was in charge of Camel Special Security. When Iran fought, Hussein Camel was also in charge of the army involved. The responsibility of this army was to protect Saddam Hussein. He was responsible for the security of the entire country.

‘ The decision to kill my husband was for my housemates ‘

Regarding his divorce from Hussein Camel, Raghad said, “Hussein could not handle things after leaving Iraq.” It was estimated within a month. The decision to divorce was taken in February 1996, a day after returning to Iraq. I talked to my father and decided. My father was very sad. There was a long conversation with him. He was so sad that he was not in a position to talk. During this time my brother was also there and it was decided that we have to divorce. ”

Three days after his return from Jordan, Hussein Camel al-Majid and his brother Saddam Camel al-Majid were killed. Saddam Camel was married to Rana Saddam, Saddam Hussein’s second daughter. Ragad Hussain has said in this interview that the decision to murder her husband was with his family. Ragad has also accepted that his brother Uday Saddam Hussein also had a role in the murder of her husband.

Ragad says, “When my husband was killed, I was 25 years old.” As sad as she is, she cannot tell. My father also felt this and he also tried to support me.

Ragda moved to Jordan after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has been there ever since.