1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq

First Sadr Uprisng
Date	1979–1980
Location	Iraq
Result	Rebellion suppressed Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Amina Haydar al-Sadr executed.;
Belligerents
Ba'athist Iraq	Shi'ite rebels
Commanders and leaders
Saddam Hussein	Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr Amina al-Sadr

The 1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, also known as the First Sadr Uprising, took place as a followup to the Iranian Revolution (1978–1979) in neighbouring Iran, as the Shia Iraqi clerics vowed to overthrow Ba'athist Iraq, dominated by (secular) Sunni Muslims - specifically the Saddam Hussein family. Saddam and his deputies believed that the riots had been inspired by the Iranian Revolution and instigated by Iran's government. The riots erupted in May 1979 and escalated in June - leading to thousands being tortured and killed in Najaf. The uprising subsided with the April 1980 arrest of the leader of Shia Iraqis, Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and his subsequent execution.

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