In April 2003, Iraqi civilians toppled Saddam Hussein’s statue in Firdos Square, Baghdad. It was one of the many statues around Iraq that were getting destroyed after the fall of Hussein’s 23-year rule. Erected only a year before, in 2002, to celebrate Hussein’s birthday, the statue was just one of the thousands of portraits that reflected his personality cult. Even the Iraqi currency featured his face at the time. United States government officials and journalists claimed the statue’s fall symbolised victory for the US.
Many critics argue that the event was not as spontaneous as claimed by the US government. It was fully or partially staged by members of their Marines who gathered the crowd to make it appear civilian-inspired. British journalist Robert Frisk reporting the war from Baghdad, described the event as “the most staged photo opportunity since Iwo Jima.” Many eyewitness accounts also support the claim against that presented by the US. Even then, the photo of the statue’s fall remains a striking reminder of the invasion and the fall of Hussein’s rule – an example of political iconoclasm in the early 21st century.
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