Heavy fighting between ISIS, Iraqi forces almost destroys Saddam Hussein's tomb

Saddam Hussein's tomb in his hometown of Ouja, Iraq, has been nearly destroyed due to heavy fighting between the Islamic State and Iraqi forces.

The village is south of Tikrit, which Iraqi security forces say they will reach within 48 hours, The Associated Press reports. AP video from Ouja shows the tomb is almost completely leveled, with just the support columns that once held up the roof remaining. Saddam was buried in Ouja in 2007, and the tomb once was covered in his photographs. It had a chandelier as well as a marble octagon in the center where fresh flowers were planted.

In August, ISIS said that the tomb was destroyed, but officials said it had only suffered minor damage after being ransacked and burned. State media also said that loyalists had removed the body amid fears it would be disturbed, and its current location is unknown.

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