Iraqi leaders were no doubt hoping to use the occasion of the execution of Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, Saddam’s half-brother, and Awad al-Bandar, former head of the Revolutionary court, to show that they could carry out the ultimate punishment with the solemnity befitting a sovereign government.
Despite their best efforts, it emerged today that during the execution Barzan al-Tikriti was decapitated.
Watch Stephen Farrell’s description of the events.
How bad is this development? I noted when the video emerged from Saddam Hussein’s execution that it bore a striking resemblance to the insurgent snuff videos. The symbol of the Iraqi government decapitating Saddam’s half-brother is one that will have lasting impact. All they can hope for at this point is that another video does not emerge.