Muhammad Hamza Zubaydi

• Retired RCC member
• Captured 21 April 2003
• Died in custody on 2 December 2005

Muhammad Hamza Zubaydi was an Iraqi politician and high-ranking member of the Ba’ath Party under the regime of Saddam Hussein. He served in a number of key government positions, including Prime Minister from 1991 to 1993.

Zubaydi was considered one of the most powerful figures in Saddam Hussein’s regime. Following the 1991 Gulf War and subsequent Shi’a uprisings in southern Iraq, he was appointed by Saddam Hussein to suppress the rebellion. His role in this brutal crackdown led to widespread international condemnation.

After the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Zubaydi was captured by American forces. He was one of the first of the 55 most-wanted officials from Saddam Hussein’s regime (known as the “deck of cards”) to be taken into custody. Zubaydi was listed as the “Eight of Spades” in this deck.

On December 02, 2005, while in custody, Zubaydi died due to complications from a heart attack. He was never tried for his actions during Saddam Hussein’s regime.