Tikrit, 11 October 2003 (RFE/RL) -- U.S. troops detained four men in raids early today in Tikrit, the hometown of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The U.S. military said those detained were suspected of involvement in attacks on U.S. forces in the area. Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell, who commanded the raids, said two of the men were also suspected of links to one of Saddam's special security units.
"Actually two of the individuals that we detained tonight have a connection with the Special Security Office of the former regime, SSO, so that is important information for us and we're going to try to find out what that connection means," Russel said.
There was no resistance or casualties when U.S. soldiers stormed three houses in Tikrit.
U.S. forces in Tikrit and the surrounding area have faced numerous attacks by guerrillas using mortars and improvised explosive devices, often placed on roadsides.
During the raids today, U.S. soldiers discovered no explosives or bomb-making devices but found some weapons, including several Kalashnikov rifles.
"Actually two of the individuals that we detained tonight have a connection with the Special Security Office of the former regime, SSO, so that is important information for us and we're going to try to find out what that connection means," Russel said.
There was no resistance or casualties when U.S. soldiers stormed three houses in Tikrit.
U.S. forces in Tikrit and the surrounding area have faced numerous attacks by guerrillas using mortars and improvised explosive devices, often placed on roadsides.
During the raids today, U.S. soldiers discovered no explosives or bomb-making devices but found some weapons, including several Kalashnikov rifles.