Al-Faw Palace

The Al Faw Palace (also known as the Water Palace) is located in Baghdad approximately 5 kilometers from the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Saddam Hussein commissioned its construction in the 1990s to commemorate the Iraqi forces' re-taking of the Al-Faw Peninsula during the Iran-Iraq conflict.[1]

The Al Faw palace, illuminated during the change of command ceremony between III Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps, early February 2005.
The Al Faw Palace in the early morning light; photo was taken from the southeast corner of the pond in which it sits (June 2004).

Overview

Al Faw Palace is situated on a former resort complex about 5 kilometers from the Green Zone, which is now referred to as the International Zone or IZ. The complex contains numerous villas and smaller palaces and is now one of the largest US/Coalition bases in Iraq (Camp Victory/ Camp Liberty). The palace contains over 62 rooms and 29 bathrooms.[2] Many of the rooms were converted to serve as offices, and after 2004 the Palace was used as the headquarters for the Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I), along with the Joint Operations Center (JOC), which served for years as 'Mission Control' for the Multi-National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I) and all operational aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is an artificial lake surrounding the palace that has a special breed of large bass dubbed the Saddam bass,[2] as well as large carp. Saddam formerly used the palace for duck-hunting expeditions.[3]

Because of the very light damage to the Al Faw Palace and other structures located on what was Camp Victory, it is widely presumed that the planners of the 2003 invasion intended that this area would be used as a headquarters and main base area following the capture and occupation of Baghdad. The palace is surrounded by high walls with preconstructed security towers, which contributes to more readily maintaining surveillance and security for the former resort.

See also

Notes
  1. Newman, Bart (2008). Because of Baghdad. USA: Xulon Press. p. 48. ISBN 9781606470114.
  2. Williams, Brian. "Saddam's Al Faw Palace Not At All What It Seems." NBC Nightly News, 8 May 2007.
  3. Hutchinson, Kristin "Members of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment, Pose Before Al-Faw Palace Archived 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine." The Dispatch, February 2007 (page 18).
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