Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri

Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, born on July first, nineteen forty-two, was a prominent Iraqi politician and military officer who rose to the rank of field marshal. He served as the Vice Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council until the United States invaded Iraq in two thousand three. Al-Douri was known as a close advisor and deputy to President Saddam Hussein, playing a significant role in the regime's operations.

After the invasion, al-Douri became the most high-profile Ba'athist official to evade capture, famously recognized as the 'king of clubs' in the U.S. deck of most-wanted Iraqi playing cards. He led the Naqshbandi Army, an Iraqi militant group, continuing to orchestrate resistance against the occupying forces and the new regime in Baghdad.

Following the execution of Saddam Hussein on December thirtieth, two thousand six, al-Douri was confirmed as the new leader of the banned Iraqi Ba'ath Party on January third, two thousand seven. His leadership marked a significant moment for the party as it sought to maintain its influence in a rapidly changing political landscape.

In April two thousand fifteen, the Shiite militant group Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq claimed to have killed al-Douri and his bodyguards during a military operation near the Al-Alaas oil fields. However, the Iraqi Ba'ath Party denied these claims, and al-Douri was later seen in videos discussing events post his alleged death. On October twenty-six, two thousand twenty, news of his death was again reported, this time confirmed by the Iraqi Ba'ath Party and Raghad Hussein, Saddam Hussein's daughter.