Saddam ‘fit and well’ after op

BAGHDAD – Saddam Hussein underwent a hernia operation at a US-run hospital inside Baghdad’s Green Zone two weeks ago and has made a full recovery, a US military official said on Wednesday.

The former Iraqi president, who was captured by US forces on December 13 last year, had previously received treatment for hernia problems and had suffered discomfort in recent weeks. “They eradicated the problem and dealt with it.There were no complications and no concerns,” said the military official, who asked not to be identified.”The treatment definitely alleviated the problem.He felt a lot better afterwards,” he said.Saddam returned to his cell shortly after the operation, which lasted a little over an hour.The operation took place at Ibn Sina hospital, once used by well-connected Iraqis under the former regime, but which is now known as the 31st Combat Support hospital and receives wounded US soldiers from all over the country.Saddam, 67, was previously treated at Ibn Sina for kidney and hernia problems in July this year.Since his capture, Saddam is believed to have been held at a secret, high-security camp near Baghdad’s airport.While he is guarded by US forces, he is in Iraqi legal custody and is expected to face trial for crimes including genocide next year.- Nampa-Reuters”They eradicated the problem and dealt with it.There were no complications and no concerns,” said the military official, who asked not to be identified.”The treatment definitely alleviated the problem.He felt a lot better afterwards,” he said.Saddam returned to his cell shortly after the operation, which lasted a little over an hour.The operation took place at Ibn Sina hospital, once used by well-connected Iraqis under the former regime, but which is now known as the 31st Combat Support hospital and receives wounded US soldiers from all over the country.Saddam, 67, was previously treated at Ibn Sina for kidney and hernia problems in July this year.Since his capture, Saddam is believed to have been held at a secret, high-security camp near Baghdad’s airport.While he is guarded by US forces, he is in Iraqi legal custody and is expected to face trial for crimes including genocide next year.- Nampa-Reuters