Iraq

Raids target defense corps infiltrators

TIKRIT, Iraq - American soldiers arrested one current and two former members of the U.S.-trained Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers in an operation targeting anticoalition forces in Saddam Hussein's hometown.

The troops detained the former soldiers at a house in downtown Tikrit late Monday on suspicion of stealing and selling weapons of the U.S.-trained force.

The men are also suspected of bombing the homes of Iraqis who collaborate with American forces in Tikrit, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, a battalion commander.

Acting on information from the detained men, the troops from the Army's 4th Infantry Division arrested the current member of the Iraqi force early today on suspicion of planning attacks against coalition forces. The Iraqi soldier was on duty at the time.

American authorities are concerned about anticoalition forces infiltrating the U.S.-trained defense corps but do not believe many have done so, Russell said.

Earlier Monday, attackers opened fire on a car carrying two local council members in Mosul, killing one and wounding the other, police said.

In Baghdad, insurgents fired mortar shells at two police stations in central Baghdad, wounding four people, including a police officer, Iraqi officials said.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright