BAGHDAD (AP) — The tomb of Iraq’s deceased dictator Saddam Hussein was damaged in clashes between militants from the Islamic State radical group and government soldiers in his hometown, according to local officials Tuesday.

The tomb only suffered minor damage in the battles according to a local official in the town of Ouja, who spoke on condition of anonymity for his own safety, and he dismissed a statement by the Islamists posted on a jihadi website that said it had been totally destroyed.

Recommended Stories

The UK keeps calm and carries on toward French-style disaster

Will votes be counted accurately? What the public is saying

The Right is at a time for fusing