1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq

The 1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, also known as the First Sadr Uprising, took place as a followup to the Iranian Revolution (1978–1979) in neighbouring Iran, as the Shia Iraqi clerics vowed to overthrow Ba'athist Iraq, dominated by (secular) Sunni Muslims - specifically the Saddam Hussein family. Saddam and his deputies believed that the riots had been inspired by the Iranian Revolution and instigated by Iran's government.^[1] The riots erupted in May 1979 and escalated in June - leading to thousands being tortured and killed in Najaf. The uprising subsided with the April 1980 arrest of the leader of Shia Iraqis, Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and his subsequent execution.

First Sadr Uprisng
Date 1979–1980 Location Iraq Result Rebellion suppressed Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Amina Haydar al-Sadr executed.
Belligerents
Ba'athist Iraq	Shi'ite rebels
Commanders and leaders
Saddam Hussein	Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr  Amina al-Sadr

History

Al-Sadr's works attracted the ire of the Baath Party leading to repeated imprisonment where he was often tortured. Despite this, he continued his work after being released.^[2] When the Baathists arrested Ayatollah Al-Sadr in 1977, his sister Amina Sadr bint al-Huda made a speech in the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf inviting the people to demonstrate. Many demonstrations were held, forcing the Baathists to release Al-Sadr who was placed under house arrest.

In 1979–1980, anti-Ba'ath riots arose in the Iraq's Shia areas by groups, who were working toward an Islamic revolution in their country.^[3] Saddam and his deputies believed that the riots had been inspired by the Iranian Revolution and instigated by Iran's government.^[1] In the aftermath of Iran’s revolution, Iraq’s Shiite community called on Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr to be their “Iraqi Ayatollah Khomeini”, leading a revolt against the Ba'ath regime.^{[4][better source needed]} Community leaders, tribal heads, and hundreds of ordinary members of the public paid their allegiance to al-Sadr.^[4] Protests then erupted in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite provinces of the south in May 1979.^[4] For nine days, protests against the regime unfolded, but were suppressed by the regime.^[4] The cleric’s imprisonment led to another wave of protests in June after a seminal, powerful appeal from al-Sadr’s sister, Bint al-Huda. Further clashes unfolded between the security forces and protestors. Najaf was put under siege and thousands were tortured and executed.^[4]

Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr was finally arrested on 5 April 1980 with his sister, Sayedah Bint al-Huda.^[5] They had formed a powerful militant movement in opposition to Saddam Hussein's regime.^[6]

On 9 April 1980, Al-Sadr and his sister were killed after being severely tortured by their Baathist captors.^[2] Signs of torture could be seen on the bodies.^[6][7][8] The Baathists raped Bint Houda in front of her brother.^[8] An iron nail was hammered into Al-Sadr's head and he was then set on fire in Najaf.^[2][5] It has been reported that Saddam himself killed them.^[6] The Baathists delivered the bodies of Baqir Al-Sadr and Bintul Huda to their cousin Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr.^[6] They were buried in the Wadi-us-Salaam graveyard in the holy city of Najaf the same night.^[5] His execution raised no criticism from Western countries because Al-Sadr had openly supported Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran.^[7]

Aftermath

Main articles: Iran-Iraq War and 1999 Shia uprising in Iraq

The 1999 Shia uprising in Iraq (or Second Sadr Uprising^[9]) took place in Iraq in early 1999 following the killing of Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr by the then Ba'athist government of Iraq.^[10] The protests and ensuing violence were strongest in the heavily Shia neighborhoods of Baghdad, as well as southern majority Shiite cities such as Karbala, Nasiriyah, Kufa, Najaf, and Basra.^[11]

See also

• Iraq portal
• Shia Islam portal

• 1977 Shia protests in Iraq
• The Five Martyrs