Watan – Former Iraqi Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, has revealed undisclosed facets of his political life, including events that transpired during the reign of former President Saddam Hussein and the subsequent American invasion of Iraq. He also detailed an assassination attempt, he faced in London.
In an interview with Lebanese journalist Ghassan Charbel for the Saudi newspaper “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat,” Allawi stated that the U.S. Played a role in destabilizing Iraq, with Iran as its accomplice. He emphasized that he never visited Iran and declined to seek the Prime Minister’s position from foreign entities.
Allawi mentioned that current U.S. President Joe Biden, during Barack Obama’s tenure, tried to persuade him to relinquish his rights in favor of Nouri al-Maliki, appeasing Iran in the process. The Iraqi politician also spoke of an assassination attempt during the Ba’ath Party era.
One of Allawi’s notable statements was about the late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, highlighting his charisma and influence among millions of Iraqis and Arabs. When asked about Saddam’s wealth, Allawi responded, “Saddam had nothing… He didn’t love money or seek it.” He further described Saddam as someone who pursued power, influence, and strength.
Allawi recounted an assassination attempt on the morning of February 4, 1978, in London. The Iraqi intelligence, acting on orders, sought to “shatter the head” of Iyad Allawi, who had resigned from the party. This attempt was preceded by multiple threats after Allawi had completely left the Ba’ath Party in 1975.
The assassination attempt occurred at 3 a.m., with the assailant attacking Allawi while he was in bed. The struggle lasted for a few minutes before Allawi’s wife intervened, leading to a more violent altercation. Allawi was later hospitalized and underwent multiple surgeries over a year and a half. His wife, tragically, later succumbed to cancer.