Saddam Hussein is alive – Video sparks controversy

A video recently disseminated across Arabic-language social media platforms purportedly showcases an interview with the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, suggesting astonishingly that he remains alive today.

This assertion, however, is debunked as the footage underwent editing, employing sophisticated audio manipulation techniques. The source material for this contentious video traces back to an authentic interview from 2003.

In the altered footage, the voice attributed to the former president markedly differs from his genuine vocal tone and accent, raising immediate suspicions about the video’s authenticity.

One social media comment provocatively declared: “This is the evidence that Saddam Hussein is alive in 2024… Prepare to be astounded.”

The video elicited a mixed reaction among netizens. While some approached it with a layer of skepticism, humorously noting the use of artificial intelligence in its modification and the unchanged appearance of Saddam Hussein over the years, others took the claim at face value. This latter group aligns with a fringe yet persistent belief that Saddam Hussein evaded execution in 2003, instead opting for a life shrouded in secrecy.

Upon closer examination, the video’s origins become clear. A diligent search through various search engines pinpoints its segments to an interview conducted on February 4, 2003, aired by Britain’s Channel 4.

The authentic interview, accessible for verification, aligns closely with the content of the viral video, with the notable exception of Saddam Hussein’s voice. In the original footage, he discusses topics such as weapons of mass destruction in the North, Al-Qaeda, and alleged connections between his regime and the terrorist organization.

The manipulated video, however, features a digitally synthesized voice, falsely suggesting Saddam Hussein was disclosing his continued existence and refuting claims of his execution in 2003.

Prominent media outlets, including The Guardian, The Irish Times, The New York Times, and The Relief Web, had extensively covered the original interview, publishing its contents and contributing to the historical record of that period.