BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) – A total of ten suspected criminal associates of Al-Qaeda in Iraq were arrested by Iraqi Security Forces during two separate operations near Baghdad and Mosul, the U.S. Army reported on Wednesday.

Six people were arrested during a joint security operation approximately 128 kilometers (79 miles) southwest of Mosul, in northern Iraq. Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected associate of Al-Qaeda in Iraq who was allegedly involved in the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq.

As a result of the information and evidence gathered at the scene, Iraqi forces were able to identify and arrest the six alleged criminals, the U.S. Army said.

Meanwhile, four people were arrested approximately 19 kilometers (11 miles) west of Baghdad due to their alleged ties to Al-Qaeda in Iraq. The operation was designed to locate a suspected Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader allegedly involved in the production of improvised explosive devices.

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