Tikrit

Overview

Introduction

Tikrit, a short side trip from Samarra, is where the former Iraqi government claimed that Saladin, the Muslim leader against the Crusaders, was born. Their claims were most likely based on the fact that Tikrit is also the birthplace of Saddam Hussein and most of his governing council. Most historians, however, believe Saladin was born in Mosul. There's really nothing to see there and the area is not safe. Tikrit is 100 mi/160 km northwest of Baghdad.

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