[1] After the defeat of Saddam Hussein, Salam, against his father's wishes, entered the newly formed and Western-sponsored Iraqi army in late 2003.
[1][3][4][5] Major Hussein is critical of Iraq's political establishment, especially former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whom he regards as the main cause of his country's crisis.
[1] He forbade the use of influential Shia cleric Hussein's flag, frequently seen flying over Iraqi army's vehicles and voiced his opposition to anti-Sunni sectarian policies and violence supported or encouraged by various Shia politicians in power.
[1] In late 2016, while taking part in the second battle of Mossul, he led the 2nd ICTF Battalion which breached Mosul's Eastern defenses on 1 November 2016.
[1][6][7] In late December 2016, after the conquest of the Eastern side of Mosul, he left for the US to train 6 months.