1996 Iraqi coup attempt

The 1996 Iraqi coup d'état attempt was a coup d'état attempt against president Saddam Hussein and his regime, as part of a wave of attacks and assassination attempts on the president of Iraq. The attempt occurred in June 1996, when a failed coup plot against the government was planned by the United States according to the Iraqi government.^[1][2]

DateJune–July 1996

Location

Baghdad, Iraq (with broader implications in northern Iraq/Kurdistan)

Result

Coup attempt failed

• Mass arrests and executions of conspirators
• Saddam Hussein remains in power

Quick facts Date, Location ...

1996 Iraqi coup d'état attempt
Part of CIA activities in Iraq and Aftermath of the Gulf War
Date June–July 1996 Location Baghdad, Iraq (with broader implications in northern Iraq/Kurdistan) Result Coup attempt failed Mass arrests and executions of conspirators Saddam Hussein remains in power
Belligerents
Iraqi government	Iraqi National Accord CIA
Commanders and leaders
Saddam Hussein Iraqi Mukhabarat (intelligence service)	Ayad Allawi Mohammed Abdullah al-Shahwani
Strength
Intelligence and security forces highly rated in regime control	INA-backed officers within the Republican Guard and defectors (numbers unspecified)
Casualties and losses
None	Hundreds arrested Dozens (including ~82 operatives and al-Shahwani’s sons) executed
Operation code-named "DBACHILLES"; compromised by double agents and intercepted communications; marked a severe blow to U.S. covert efforts in Iraq

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