DHAKA: The tomb of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been almost completely leveled in fighting near Tikrit.

Footage shows all that remains of the once-lavish mausoleum in the village of al-Awja are pillars that held up the roof, reports the BBC.

Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia militia are battling to drive Islamic State (IS) militants from Tikrit.

Last year, the local Sunni population said they had removed Saddam’s body and taken it to an unknown location.

The capture of the tomb came as fighting intensified north and south of Tikrit on Sunday as Iraqi security forces vowed to reach the city centre within 48 hours.

BDST: 0846 HRS, MAR 16, 2015