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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, Saddam's Right-Hand Man, Dies

Late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (R) and the vice president of the ruling Revolutionary Command Council, Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, salute a December 2000 military parade in Baghdad. (AFP)

Sadddam Hussein's right-hand man Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, a long-time fugitive, has died, the late Iraqi ruler’s daughter and his Baath party said Monday.

After Saddam's capture following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the wiry, red-haired general remained the "King of Clubs" in Washington's deck of cards of wanted regime figures with a $10-million bounty on his head.

"I offer condolences... to all Iraqis and all his (Duri's) admirers in the Arab world and around the world," tweeted Raghad Saddam Hussein, along with a picture of Duri and her father, who was convicted and executed in 2006.

The Baath party, which ruled Iraq until Saddam's overthrow, issued a statement announcing the death of 78-year-old Duri, but it also gave no details on where or the cause.

Known as the "Iceman" for his humble origins selling blocks of ice, he has previously been reported dead or captured only to resurface in audio or video messages.

Duri rose to become the number two in the all-powerful Revolutionary Command Council of Saddam's regime.

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