◆ SpookStack

1631-HQ-1462938 "escaped" to Iran. Their nationalities were difficult to determine with any degree of certainty because many had intentionally destroyed their citizenship documents. HUSSEIN stated that in reasserting government control of the country, Iraqi leadership considered the southern area of Iraq a high priority as Iragi forces primarily encountered and fought Iranians in this area. After order was restored in Southern Iraq, government forces focused on the Northern Region where Iraqi forces met little or no resistance. The fighting in Northern and Southern Iraq lasted approximately two months. HUSSEIN stated, "God made us victorious." Thereafter, according to HUSSHIN, Iran continued to insert groups of 10 to 15 people into Iraq to conduct operations against the government. However, these individuals were, for the most part, thwarted by members of the local population. Ultimately, following an agreement between Iran and Iraq, these hostile Operations ceased. HUSSEIN characterized the uprisings in 1991 as insurgent activity conducted by "outlaws and thieves." He did not consider the insurgents to be revolutionaries. When asked what factors allowed these disturbances, HUSSEIN answered that it was support from Iran, weakness of the Iraq Government after the war, and possibly assistance from coalition forces. He noted that the war had weakened all government institutions, including the police and the military. Gradually, however, the Iraqi military grew in strength and eventually overcome these rebels. According to HUSSEIN, the Iragi military's "blade got longer and longer." He acknowledged, however, that the Iraqi military’s weakened state created the Opportunity for this “lawlessness” in the first place. HUSSEIN believed the goal of the insurgent activity was to gain control of Iraq. In his Opinion, Iran supported insurgent activity in 1991 after Iran failed to gain control of Iraq through the previous war with Iraq. Iran wanted to control all, or at least a part, of Iraq, and particularly the southern portion. HUSSEIN believed Iran also wanted to extend its power to eastern Saudi Arabia and the entire Gulf region. The RCC gave the Iraqi Provincial Governors control of the military during the Uprisings to protect the people and the State and to re-establish security and a "normal life." The people and the nation were threatened by widespread killings, theft, arson, and general destruction, all of which had to be brought under control. HUSSEIN denied knowing the specific methods that the Governors and the military used to reassert 78