Fifth column
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A fifth column is a group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandesti
1941 World War II poster from the United States denouncing fifth columnists
Australian Prime Minister Menzies proposed a federal referendum on 22 September 1951 asking voters to give the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws regarding communists and communism.
Gari Melchers War Highsmith
1979 Ba'ath Party purge
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A public purge of the Iraqi Ba'ath Party was orchestrated on 22 July 1979 by then-president Saddam Hussein, six days after his accession to the presidency of the Iraqi Republic.
Fifth column
…in the fifth column; and the fifth column is based on the local Communist parties". In 1979, Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq, orchestrated a purge of political dissidents within the Ba'ath Party. Hussein claimed that he had uncovered a fifth column within the organization and ordered Muhyi…
Saddam Hussein speech during the purge
Still from an off-air recording of Saddam's speech during the purge
Joint meeting of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) and the Regional Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region in Baghdad – Iraq, on 16 June 1988, presided by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein; on his right side is RCC deputy chairman Izzat Ibrahim ad-Duri.
Saddam Hussein at trial, July 2004