Key Saddam allies captured

2003-07-22 15:29

Mosul - US soldiers have seized key allies of Saddam Hussein in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a US officer says.

The prisoners, described as of "very high interest" to the Coalition, were captured in a raid on a house during which one Iraqi was killed and five injured.

There are rumours that Saddam's sons Qusay and Uday had been hiding in the city, but it has been neither confirmed nor denied that they are now in US custody.

Lieutenant Colonel William Bishop, of the 101st Airborne Division at the scene said: "This morning we went to the building and surrounded it, and detained several of these high-interest personalities."

Witnesses say US soldiers were fired at as they approached the house and called in helicopter support before storming it.

Lt Col Bishop said one Iraqi had been killed and five wounded in the battle.

The house, a large villa, was badly damaged, and its roof caved in after it was apparently hit by a missile.

US forces have so far captured 34 of the 55 Iraqis on a most-wanted list of members of Saddam's regime, but Saddam and his sons remain at large.

Officials believe Saddam is probably still alive and hiding somewhere in Iraq.

Audio tapes said to have been made by the deposed leader have been given to Arab television networks, urging Iraqis to fight occupying US and British troops.

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