LOC01:03
22:03 GMT
BAGHDAD, Aug 14 (KUNA) -- Iraq and American forces, backed by Iraqi tribes
in Diyala, killed 204 terrorists and arrested 164 others since Operation
Lightning Hammer started in June this year, an Iraqi official said Tuesday.
"Police forces are controling the ground in Diyala and in the areas
liberated by the Iraqi army and Multi-National forces," Brigadier Abdulkarim
Khalaf, director of the national command center, told a news conference.
Operation Lightning Hammer aims at cleansing Diyala from militants.
Khalaf said Al-Qaeda militants have turned to the defensive front now after
they lost 75 percent of their field commanders, thanks to the systematic
strikes by the interior ministry forces.
The Iraqi and US forces have also arrested 461 suspected terrorists in
different parts in Diyala, said Khalaf. (end)
mhg.bs
KUNA 150103 Aug 07NNNN