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14th December 2003, US forces made a dramatic breakthrough in their search for
Saddam Hussein, the Ace of Spades on their most wanted list.
The operation was launched within 24 hours of receiving a tip-off from a member of Saddam
Hussein's clan.
He was found in a tiny pit outside a farmhouse about 15km south of his hometown Tikrit, close
to the River Tigris. The entrance to his lair was cleverly concealed.
SYNC soldier.... (demos entrance).. here is the hole
The hole was just 6 feet wide and 8 feet deep, a pipe and a fan drawing in air to make it
possible to hide away for days at a time as troops searched above ground. When the entrance
was revealed soldiers had been seconds from throwing in a hand grenade.
SYNCsoldier... Two hands appeared....George Bush sends his regards.
Saddam
Hussein was found armed with a pistol, but was said to offer no resistance.
He emerged from his hiding place, it was said, "very much bewildered" and said "hardly anything
at first". He had been on the run for 8 months since Baghdad fell to US forces in April,
2003
Close to the concealed opening were the two tiny rooms where he had been living. There
was a kitchen with running water, well stocked with food,
The bedroom was cluttered with clothes, some of them new and still in their wrappers.
SYNC soldier... He would sleep up here....
A member of Iraq's ruling council was asked to formally identify Saddam
SYNC politician... He was a very broken man...
As the news reached Basra, Shia muslims came out in celebration . The devil has fallen
proclaimed their banners. In 1991 a Shia rebellion had been brutally put down by Saddam Hussein,
they rejoiced at his capture.
But there were no celebrations here in Fallujah where Saddam's supporters were defiant in
his support.
A day later two massive car bombs exploded in Baghdad, their target , recruits joining
the new Iraqi police force, a template for a pattern that was to become increasingly
familiar in a post Saddam Iraq.