
65: PSYOP
Darknet Diaries
The Toppling of Saddam Hussein's Statue: A Psyop Mission
The iconic image of Saddam Hussein's statue being toppled during the US invasion of Iraq was a result of a strategic psychological operation (Psyop). A BBC reporter who witnessed the event revealed that Psyop soldiers orchestrated the toppling by encouraging locals to beat the statue with sledgehammers and assisting in conducting crowd control. The mission aimed to symbolize the fall of the city and garner support from Iraqis who opposed Saddam Hussein. However, the global media coverage of the event had a significant impact beyond its intended audience, making it a powerful demonstration of influence through symbolic actions.
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