American soldiers detained four suspected leaders of the Iraqi resistance during pre-dawn raids Thursday, the military said.
One suspect from Thursday's activity allegedly organized cells and armed fighters for attacks on U.S. forces in Tikrit, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell of the 4th Infantry Division, which carried out the raids.
According to the AP, he said two former Iraqi generals suspected of organizing attacks nationwide and another suspected anti-U.S. ringleader were also captured.
One raid started as Apache attack helicopters circled overhead and about 100 soldiers backed by four battle tanks stormed a local hotel.
The troops seized control of the building without resistance and brought 39 men outside, where they were questioned. All but one were released.
Eighteen other suspected guerrillas were arrested in seven raids late Tuesday and early Wednesday across north-central Iraq, Maj. Josslyn Aberle said.
An Iraqi informant led soldiers to a large weapons cache some 40 kilometers northeast of Tikrit, on Sunday, she said. It included two 20-foot missiles, 3,000 mortar rounds, 250 anti-tank rockets and almost 2,000 artillery rounds. (Albawaba.com)
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