Why was Iraq oppressed?

Iraq was oppressed primarily due to the authoritarian regime of Saddam Hussein, who ruled with an iron fist from 1979 until 2003. His government employed brutal tactics to suppress dissent, including widespread human rights abuses, torture, and executions. Ethnic and sectarian divisions were exploited, particularly against Kurds and Shiites, leading to systemic oppression. Additionally, geopolitical factors, including international interests and conflicts, further complicated Iraq's sociopolitical landscape, perpetuating cycles of oppression and instability.