US troops arrest Saudi 'Al-Qaeda terrorist' in Iraq

BAGHDAD: US forces in Iraq captured a Saudi national suspected of belonging to the Al-Qaeda network and of training and equipping suicide bombers, a statement from US headquarters said on Tuesday.        

Soldiers stormed a compound in the restive city of Ramadi on Sunday, killing one suspect and rounding up 14 more, including the Saudi, it said.          

"A subsequent search of the target area led to the discovery of one suicide vest, multiple small arms and a vehicle rigged as a car bomb that was destroyed on site," the statement added.         

"Credible and compelling intelligence indicated the Saudi Al-Qaeda member, also known for previous terrorist activity in Afghanistan and Chechnya, was harbouring men preparing for suicide operations," it added.         

In recent weeks, US and Iraqi forces have arrested hundreds of suspected militants in raids across the country.

Nevertheless, the number of violent attacks against civilians and security forces continues to mount.