What was the main difference between saddam hussein and militant islamists?

A militant islamist is a an advocate or supporter of a political movement that favors reordering government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam. 

And saddam hussein was the leader of the Iraq. he suppressed minorities and fought a war with Iran. He was captured by American forces during their invasion of Iraq in 2003 and executed.

Hope this helped, Jon.

Dpolitical is the answer