Al-Faw Palace

Iraqi palace in Baghdad

The Al Faw palace, illuminated during the change of command ceremony between III Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps, early February 2005. The Al Faw Palace in the early morning light; photo was taken from the southeast corner of the pond in which it sits (June 2004).

The Al Faw Palace (also known as the Water Palace) is located in Baghdad approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) from the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Saddam Hussein commissioned its construction in the 1990s to commemorate the Iraqi forces' re-taking of the Al-Faw Peninsula during the Iran-Iraq conflict.[1]

## Overview[edit]

Al Faw Palace is situated on a former resort complex about 5 kilometers from the Green Zone, which is now referred to as the International Zone or IZ. The complex contains numerous villas and smaller palaces and is now one of the largest US/Coalition bases in Iraq (Camp Victory/ Camp Liberty). The palace contains over 62 rooms and 29 bathrooms.[2] Many of the rooms were converted to serve as offices, and after 2004 the Palace was used as the headquarters for the Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I), along with the Joint Operations Center (JOC), which served for years as 'Mission Control' for the Multi-National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I) and all operational aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is an artificial lake surrounding the palace that has a special breed of large bass dubbed the Saddam bass,[2] as well as large carp. Saddam formerly used the palace for duck-hunting expeditions.[3]

Because of the very light damage to the Al Faw Palace and other structures located on what was Camp Victory, it is widely presumed that the planners of the 2003 invasion intended that this area would be used as a headquarters and main base area following the capture and occupation of Baghdad.[citation needed] The palace is surrounded by high walls with preconstructed security towers, which contributes to more readily maintaining surveillance and security for the former resort. 33°17′02″N 44°15′22″E﻿ / ﻿33.2840°N 44.2561°E﻿ / 33.2840; 44.2561

In 2009, comedian Stephen Colbert hosted a week of The Colbert Report from the palace in partnership with United Service Organizations.[4][5]

## See also[edit]

* Al-Faw Peninsula
* Administrative districts in Baghdad

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ Newman, Bart (2008). Because of Baghdad. USA: Xulon Press. p. 48\. ISBN 9781606470114.
2. ^ a b Williams, Brian. "Saddam's Al Faw Palace Not At All What It Seems." NBC Nightly News, 8 May 2007.
3. ^ Hutchinson, Kristin "Members of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment, Pose Before Al-Faw Palace Archived 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine." The Dispatch, February 2007 (page 18).
4. ^ "Stephen Colbert films show in Iraq". www.army.mil. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
5. ^ "Colbert in fine form in Iraq". Los Angeles Times. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2022.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Al-Faw Palace.

* Pike, John. "Abu Ghurayb Presidential Site." Global Security, 2000-2008
* Saddam's Palaces: An Interview with Richard Mosse June 2009
* The Fish at Al-Faw Palace website created 2009

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* VIAF

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