Over the years, he faced a number of challenges to his most important role as head of the paramilitary Fedayeen Saddam organisation.

BBC: Saddam's rival sons

Over the weekend, British forces conducted raids on homes of people believed to be members of Saddam's Baath Party and the paramilitary Fedayeen Saddam.

CNN: British 'taking control' of Basra

BASRA, Iraq (CNN) -- Coalition troops have taken a giant food warehouse complex near Basra previously under the control of Iraq's Fedayeen Saddam paramilitary force.

CNN: Troops take Basra food warehouse