The US military says Saddam Hussein probably is in hiding in or around his home town of Tikrit.
Major General Ray Odierno claims his troops from the 4th Infantry Division have captured several of Saddam's former bodyguards in the past month.
Gen Odierno is in charge of 20,000 soldiers and a sector of Iraq from north of Baghdad to Kirkuk and east to the Iranian border.
"If he makes a mistake, we'll have him," Gen Odierno said.
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There is still a $25 million reward on Saddam's head and tips on his whereabouts have increased since his sons Uday and Qusai were killed by American forces.