What was Iraq like prior to Saddam Hussein's rise to power?

in 1979 and ruled until 2003 when he was overthrown by a US-led coalition. During his rule, the Iraqi economy experienced periods of growth, largely fueled by oil revenues. However, his regime was marked by corruption, mismanagement, and economic sanctions imposed by the international community. Saddam Hussein's policies, including his costly wars with Iran and Kuwait, resulted in a deteriorating economy, high levels of inflation, and widespread poverty among the Iraqi population.