Saddam’s legitimizing lineage drew on Iraq-native non-Arab conquerors

Evidence

In this perception, he is the heir of Nasser, of Saladin, and—in his own rhetoric—of Nebuchadnezzar. He will resume and complete the unfinished work of Nasser, and deal with the enemies of the Arabs as Saladin dealt with the Crusaders and Nebuchadnezzar with the Jews. Neither was an Arab, but both were natives of Iraq. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1699