U.S. forces sweep through Tikrit, detaining 30 Iraqis

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. forces sweep through Tikrit, detaining 30 Iraqis

MICHELLE FAUL, Associated Press Writer Friday, January 9, 2004




(01-09) 01:20 PST BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) --

U.S. forces in Tikrit detained 30 Iraqis, including a dozen suspected insurgents, in one of the biggest raids since the end of the American-led war to oust Saddam Hussein.

The operation came hours after a Black Hawk medevac helicopter crashed near Fallujah, killing all nine soldiers aboard, and a C-5 transport plane limped safely back to the Baghdad airport after being struck by insurgent fire.

Two blasts also shook central Baghdad shortly after dawn Friday, and security guards said several rockets struck a hotel used by Western contract workers. Windows were shattered and there was other minor damage but no casualties.

More than 300 soldiers swept through Saddam's hometown of Tikrit just before midnight Thursday in a search for 18 men and teenagers suspected in anti-U.S. attacks, including the Oct. 1 killing of a female American soldier.
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