FORMERLY A SYMBOL OF POWER Saddam Hussein's luxury yacht now serves as an attraction for fishermen

(Patria) - Once a symbol of wealth and power, the 121-meter yacht "Al-Mansur" belonging to Saddam Hussein, now lies sunken near the port of Basra in southern Iraq, and is an attraction for local fishermen.

This year marks exactly 20 years since Hussein was overthrown, when American and British forces invaded Iraq on March 19, 2003.

At that time, Saddam ordered the yacht, which he never boarded, to leave its berth in Umm Qasr, Basra, for safekeeping a few weeks after the invasion began on March 20, 2003, reports Slobodna Dalmacija. However, the ship was targeted by US-led forces and later capsized in the Shatt al-Arab waterway as it deteriorated.

In the turmoil that followed Saddam's fall, the yacht was stripped bare and looted, with everything from chandeliers and furniture to parts of the metal structure removed.

Today, it is just a rusted wreck that fishermen and visitors climb on and have picnics, writes Marine Link.

- When the yacht was owned by Saddam, no one could get close to it - say local fishermen.

The yacht could accommodate up to 200 guests and had a helipad. There are two other identical ones, but they have been converted into hotels in Basra.

There have been dilemmas about whether to remove this sunken one or preserve it as it is.