He was hosted by a Turkish Colonel named Ali Cetiner in his own residence, who couldn't find another accommodation alternative for his stay at the time. Later in October 1965 he was allowed to move to Najaf, Iraq, where he stayed until being forced to leave in 1978, after then-Vice President Saddam Hossein forced him out (the two countries would fight a bitter eight year war 1980-1988 only a year after the beginning of Imam Khomeini’s leadership in Iran and the start of Saddam Hussein’s term in Iraq) after which he went to Neauphle le Château in France.
Bayan isarsa birnin Bagadaza, Imam Khumaini ya kai ziyara zuwa hubbarorin tsarkakan Imamai (a.s) da suke garuruwan Kazimain, Samarra da Karbala, daga nan kuma bayan mako guda, Imam ya wuce zuwa sabon masaukinsa da ke birnin Najaf mai tsarki. Shekaru sha ukun da Imam ya yi a garin Najaf (Iraki), duk da cewa babu matsin lamba na kai tsaye kamar yadda ya fuskanta a Iran da Turkiyya, sun fara ne cikin wani irin yanayi na nuna adawa da cutarwa mai tsanani daga wajen wasu malaman jeka na yi ka da ma'abuta son duniya da suka sanya tufafin ma'abuta addini da har ta kai ma, duk da irin hakurin da aka san shi da shi, a wasu lokuta ya kan fito ya yi magana kan irin wahalar jihadi da gwagwarmaya a wancan lokaci.