INTERNATIONAL: Israel’s Failed Plot to Kill Saddam: Operation Bramble Bush
Israel’s audacious 1992 plan to assassinate Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, codenamed Operation Bramble Bush, ended in tragedy before it could be executed. A catastrophic training mishap claimed the lives of Israeli commandos, exposing critical flaws in the operation’s preparation.
Genesis of the Operation
Post-1991 Gulf War, Israel identified Saddam Hussein as a formidable threat due to Iraq’s missile tests and suspected weapons of mass destruction programs. The Mossad’s intelligence prompted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to devise a plan to eliminate him.
Operation Bramble Bush targeted Saddam during a funeral in Tikrit, aiming to strike his convoy with missiles. The elite Sayeret Matkal unit was tasked with executing this high-stakes mission under IDF oversight.
Tragic Rehearsal Mishap
On November 5, 1992, Sayeret Matkal conducted a live-fire rehearsal in the Negev Desert to ensure precision. Despite stringent safety protocols, a commando inadvertently launched a missile, killing five soldiers and injuring six others.
The disaster forced Israel to abort Operation Bramble Bush. The IDF shrouded the incident in secrecy, withholding details of the fatalities for years to avoid public scrutiny.
Investigation and Fallout
An internal probe later uncovered systemic failures in the rehearsal’s planning, including lapses in communication and inadequate risk assessment. The findings highlighted the operation’s overambitious scope and poor execution.
The debacle remained classified until leaks exposed its details, prompting debates over Israel’s covert operations. The incident underscored the inherent risks of high-profile assassination missions.
Saddam’s Eventual Fate
Saddam evaded Israel’s plot but was captured by U.S. forces in 2003, hiding in an underground bunker near Tikrit. Convicted of crimes against humanity, he was executed in 2006 following a trial.
Israel’s failure in 1992 contrasted with the U.S.-led coalition’s success a decade later. Operation Bramble Bush remains a cautionary tale of strategic missteps in covert warfare.
Contemporary Relevance
Recent Israeli rhetoric invoking Saddam’s fate amid tensions with Iran has revived interest in Bramble Bush. An Israeli minister’s warning to Tehran’s leadership echoes past ambitions to neutralize regional threats.
The operation’s failure highlights the complexities of targeting adversarial leaders, especially as West Asia faces renewed volatility. Israel’s historical misadventure informs its current strategic calculus.