15 years ago today, US troops captured Saddam Hussein. See the photos of the underground hiding place where they found him.

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15 years ago today, US troops captured Saddam Hussein. See the photos of the underground hiding place where they found him.

Saddam statue fall of baghdad

Associated Press

A US Marine watches a statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled in Firdaus Square in downtown Baghdad on April 9, 2003.

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  • US forces captured Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003.
  • The ousted Iraqi dictator and members of his family fled Baghdad after the US invaded the city in March 2003.
  • US troops captured and arrested Hussein, who had been hiding in an underground hole, without firing a single shot.
  • Hussein was put on trial and eventually executed in December 2006.

When the US invaded Baghdad in March 2003, ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and his family fled the city, leading to one of the most intense manhunts in history.

That manhunt ended on December 13, 2003, when US forces captured and arrested the disheveled former dictator on the outskirts of his hometown in Tikrit, Iraq - without firing a single shot.

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Members of the Fourth Infantry Division's First Brigade and US Special Forces captured Hussein on December 13, 2003.

Members of the Fourth Infantry Division's First Brigade and US Special Forces captured Hussein on December 13, 2003.

Hussein was discovered and arrested in the town of Ad Dwara, on the outskirts of Tikrit.

Hussein was discovered and arrested in the town of Ad Dwara, on the outskirts of Tikrit.
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The deposed dictator had been hiding underground, using this hole as the sole entrance and exit.

The deposed dictator had been hiding underground, using this hole as the sole entrance and exit.

Hussein's underground hiding place had a ventilator in one wall.

Hussein's underground hiding place had a ventilator in one wall.
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A cuffed and haggard-looking Hussein was pictured after his arrest.

A cuffed and haggard-looking Hussein was pictured after his arrest.

Photos showing a disheveled Hussein began surfacing after his capture.

Photos showing a disheveled Hussein began surfacing after his capture.
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Hussein was on the run for nine months, and the time he spent hiding underground had clearly weathered him.

Hussein was on the run for nine months, and the time he spent hiding underground had clearly weathered him.

Hussein remained defiant throughout his trial in 2006, even wagging his finger at the judge.

Hussein remained defiant throughout his trial in 2006, even wagging his finger at the judge.
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After Hussein and his family fled Baghdad, the US Department of Defense distributed their images on playing cards to assist in their identification. They added "captured" after they got him.

After Hussein and his family fled Baghdad, the US Department of Defense distributed their images on playing cards to assist in their identification. They added "captured" after they got him.

Hussein's capture was seen as a major victory for US forces, but the celebration of his arrest was short-lived. A mere four months later, US contractors would be killed and hanged in Fallujah, leading to a near year-long battle amid increasing disillusionment with the war effort.

Read more: 15 years ago, the US invaded Iraq — here's how it changed the Middle East country

In January 2007, Hussein was executed by hanging in Baghdad.

In January 2007, Hussein was executed by hanging in Baghdad.

Source: Reuters

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