A train, which used to bring Saddam's loyalists from Baghdad to Saddamiat al Tharthar resort city, lies abandoned at Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
One of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace complexes near Baghdad International Airport. AFP
Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by former dictator Saddam Hussein -- some in use, many in ruins like much of the war-scarred country. AFP
With their marble columns, ornate carvings and gaudy furniture, they reflected the delusions of grandeur and the megalomania of Saddam, who visited some of them only once or twice. AFP
One of Saddam's palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq. AFP
One of Saddam's former palaces has been turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra. AFP
Part of one of Saddam's palaces in Mosul destroyed during the battle with ISIS militants. Reuters
This palace, which belonged to Saddam, overlooks ancient Babylon. AFP
One of Saddam's former palaces in his hometown of Tikrit. AFP
A Shiite fighter from Al-Hashid Al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) walks outside Saddam's palaces in the Iraqi town of Ouja, near Tikrit, on March 17, 2015. Reuters
This restaurant, which was built for Saddam Hussein's regime VIPs, looks out over Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
A train, which used to bring Saddam's loyalists from Baghdad to Saddamiat al Tharthar resort city, lies abandoned at Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
One of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace complexes near Baghdad International Airport. AFP
Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by former dictator Saddam Hussein -- some in use, many in ruins like much of the war-scarred country. AFP
With their marble columns, ornate carvings and gaudy furniture, they reflected the delusions of grandeur and the megalomania of Saddam, who visited some of them only once or twice. AFP
One of Saddam's palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq. AFP
One of Saddam's former palaces has been turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra. AFP
Part of one of Saddam's palaces in Mosul destroyed during the battle with ISIS militants. Reuters
This palace, which belonged to Saddam, overlooks ancient Babylon. AFP
One of Saddam's former palaces in his hometown of Tikrit. AFP
A Shiite fighter from Al-Hashid Al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) walks outside Saddam's palaces in the Iraqi town of Ouja, near Tikrit, on March 17, 2015. Reuters
This restaurant, which was built for Saddam Hussein's regime VIPs, looks out over Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
A train, which used to bring Saddam's loyalists from Baghdad to Saddamiat al Tharthar resort city, lies abandoned at Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
