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The Al Salam Palace was the Main Presidential Palace of Saddam Hussien. I was one of three
American's to move onto the compound to support the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom while it was still located outside
the wire of the International Zone.
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The Al Salam Palace was the Main Presidential Palace of Saddam Hussien, and was built after the Gulf War. Because the
Republican Guard called the 200+ acre complex home, and the thought that Saddam could be in the Palace, the area was one of
the first to be hit with missles at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Al Salam is nicknamed the "Four Headed Palace" because
four large, 30-foot tall busts of Saddam adorned each corner of the palace. Since the occupation, the busts have been taken
off the building and are secured on the compound out of site.
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The top of the palace was blown from the inside out during the attack. Only the frame of the dome is left.
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The Palace and the grounds were once imaculate, but since the U.S. Army now occupies the area, the grass is gone and
dust is everywhere.
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The architecture of the Al Salam Palace is wonderful.
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This is the grand entrace gate to the complex. It is massive and must be
at least six stories tall. It served its purpose of showing everyone who was hiden behind the walled complex.
These are three of the four giant Saddam busts that were located on each
corner of the Al Salam Palace, thus giving it the nickname, the "Four Headed Palace." The funny thing is that this was not
the only Four Headed Palace in Baghdad. One of the heads from the Al Salam Palace was dropped during recovery, so only three
remain. They are now secured on the grounds of the palace. The rumor says one is slated to go to the Smithsonian in Washington,
D.C.
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This website, and all its content to include pictures and words, is copyright 2010 by Dean Hockney and Hockney
Publishing Company. No part of this website may be used or reproduced without the express written permission of Dean Hockney.
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