U.S.-Iraqi raids target al-Qaida

BAQUBAH, Iraq, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- A joint raid by U.S. and Iraqi forces hit a stronghold believed to be held by al-Qaida suspects in the central Diyala province.

A source told Voice of Iraq radio that operations in the area were part of a clearing operation to drive out al-Qaida remnants in various districts about 5 miles north of Baqubah.

A joint U.S.-Iraqi operation detained three alleged al-Qaida suspects in the same area Monday, and Iraqi forces also detained three suspected members of al-Qaida operating in eastern Mosul, VOI said.

The U.S. military also reported that Iraqi special forces troops arrested a suspect in Mosul believed to be behind several roadside bomb attacks against Iraqi security forces in the area.

U.S. and Iraqi forces began operations in Mosul in early February targeting al-Qaida operatives in what analysts say is the beginning of a larger offensive there.

The U.S. troop surge and the activity of various Iraqi groups, such as Sons of Iraq, moved much of the insurgent groups outside of the Iraqi capital.