Iraqi police arrested three suspected terrorists, two of whom are believed to be al-Qaida in Iraq leaders, in two March 13 operations, military officials reported.

In Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader who allegedly provides financial support, explosives and weapons to numerous terrorist cells operating in the region.

The building in which the wanted individual was found also contained a hidden room where the security team discovered several AK-47 assault rifles and cases of ammunition.

After conducting preliminary questioning and examining the evidence collected at the scene, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and a suspected criminal associate.

During a second operation in southwestern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected mid-level al-Qaida in Iraq leader who is believed to have helped in planning past high-profile vehicle-bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital. Information and evidence gathered during the operation led Iraqi security forces to identify and arrest the wanted man.

Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors have arrested more than two dozen suspected terrorists and killed others during a series of operations in the past two days to break up terrorist groups in Iraq, military officials reported.

In the largest sweep, Iraqi Forces today arrested 22 suspected terrorists with the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group during operations with U.S. forces targeting a weapons-smuggling and rocket-attack network operating in rural villages southeast of Baghdad near the Iranian border.

An unknown number of suspected Kataib Hezbollah terrorists were killed during the operation, officials said.

Intelligence reports led Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors to the village of Ali ash Sharqi, 160 miles southeast of Baghdad, in search of weapons caches and smugglers loyal to Kataib Hezbollah.

While approaching the village, the team was fired upon by people dispersed in several homes. Members of the team returned fire, killing the perpetrators. Local authorities transported the bodies to an Iraqi medical facility in the area. While the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, officials said, initial reports indicate five people were killed.

During the engagement, one suspect fled on foot, but was apprehended in a nearby field. The suspect suffered injuries while fleeing and was evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment.

The team continued the operation and arrested 12 suspected Kataib Hezbollah terrorists believed to be smuggling and stockpiling Iranian-made weapons near homes in Ali ash Sharqi.

In Ali al Gharbi, a village 145 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched with warrants for members of Kataib Hezbollah who conduct assassinations, extort civilians and local Iraqi businesses, and transport weapons from Iran into southern Iraq.

They searched several homes and found electric circuits used to detonate improvised explosive devices, several assault rifles and military equipment. Iraqi forces arrested 10 suspected Kataib Hezbollah weapons smugglers believed involved in rocket attacks against security forces.

Iraqi and U.S. intelligence indicates a recent increase in smuggling by members of Kataib Hezbollah, who then stockpile weapons and explosives in Iraqi communities for future attacks.

Kataib Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for rocket attacks aimed at security forces working to secure populated areas. Combined security operations today along the Iranian border were expected to disrupt Kataib Hezbollah’s efforts to transport rockets, explosives and other weapons into Iraq, officials said.

In other operations in Iraq, Iraqi forces arrested five suspected terrorists today during two operations in northern Iraq targeting two al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell leaders.

In Rashidiyah, five miles northwest of Mosul, a combined team searched a home for a suspected leader of an al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cell that carries out attacks throughout the region. Based on evidence and information gathered during the operation, Iraqi forces arrested three suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

In an operation in Baqouba, 32 miles northeast of Baghdad, the Iraqi 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched two homes for a wanted al-Qaida in Iraq leader in Diyala province. The terrorist group is responsible for IED attacks, assassinations and kidnappings in the area.

Information gathered at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest two suspected criminal associates of the wanted terrorist.

Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested numerous suspected terrorists and seized enemy weapons in various operations in Iraq in recent days.

Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members — including the suspected commander and two deputies of their cell — in a rural area northwest of Baghdad today.

The cell is believed to be responsible for maintaining weapons caches and carrying out deadly attacks against civilians and security forces. During a search, the security team found a shotgun, numerous assault rifles, packaging material used to transport explosives, a small rocket and terrorist propaganda.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to identify and arrest all five cell members wanted on their arrest warrant, including the suspected commander and deputies, as well as six suspected criminal accomplices.

Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected terrorists Feb. 7 during a combined operation in northeastern Mosul to capture a military commander for the Ansar al-Islam terrorist group. A suspected terrorist was killed during the operation.

Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi forces and and U.S. advisors stopped two vehicles to arrest the Ansar al-Islam military commander, whose group fabricates mobile rockets and improvised explosive devices frequently used in attacks against security forces in the region.

The suspected terrorist in the first vehicle was questioned, identified as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted individual, and arrested without incident.

After the security team stopped the second vehicle, the driver pulled a pistol from behind his back and pointed it toward security team members. Members of the security team engaged and killed him.

Following the vehicle stops, the security team searched a building from which the suspected terrorists had driven their vehicles — a location confirmed by several previously arrested al-Qaida in Iraq members. The security team found a large cache of weapons and munitions.

The contents of the cache included 20 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, several machine guns and assault rifles, other assault weapons, several sniper rifles, rockets and rocket parts, mortar tubes and mortar rounds, mines, IED-making material, a robot that can be used to remotely transport IEDs, body armor, license plates and night-vision devices.

A man found in the building containing the weapons cache was arrested as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted Ansar al-Islam commander.

North of Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces arrested six suspected terrorists during two combined security operations north of Baghdad designed to capture two terrorist-group leaders.

In a rural area located north of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader linked to numerous criminal activities, including providing financial support and weapons to terrorist group members and conducting IED attacks.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted individual.

During a separate security operation in a rural area north of Baghdad, the Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected leader of the Salahuddin Brigade insurgency group, which is responsible for multiple rocket and IED attacks against security forces in the area. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest five suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

On Feb. 7, Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group cell leader in the Sharqat district of Salahuddin province. An Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who is accused of facilitating the movement and transportation of magnetically attached bombs used in attacks on Iraqi forces.

Also on Feb. 7, Iraqi forces captured a suspected Baghdad explosives-cell member and arrested four other suspected terrorists during combined operations near Baghdad and Mosul to disrupt the operations of al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cells.

In the town of Hamariyah, west of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a man believed to be responsible for preparing vehicle-borne IEDs used in various deadly attacks throughout Baghdad.

Following preliminary questioning and evidence collection, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal accomplices.

During a separate operation in Bawirah, north of Mosul, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a building for a member of an al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell that is active in northern Mosul. Evidence found in the building included an assault rifle, two pistols and ammunition.

Based on the results of preliminary questioning, the Iraqi soldiers arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

In a Feb. 6 operation, and Iraqi emergency response unit arrested a suspected terrorist in a rural area northeast of Baghdad.

Based on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings in the Hamrin Lake area to arrest a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member. Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted individual.

Iraqi forces, with U.S. advisors, in recent days arrested 20 people suspected of terrorist activities in Iraq, military officials reported.

Iraqi soldiers today arrested a suspected terrorist during a combined security operation in northeastern Baghdad targeting a suspected member of a Kataib Hezbollah terrorist network cell.

Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors acted upon a court-issued warrant to search two buildings for a suspected Kataib Hezbollah member wanted for rocket and mortar attacks in the capital city. Evidence discovered at the scene led the soldiers to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted man.

Yesterday, Iraqi police arrested three suspected terrorists during a combined security operation targeting a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq bomb-cell member about 15 miles south of Mosul.

Acting on a court-issued warrant, the police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for the suspected terrorist, who’s wanted for staging deadly vehicle-borne bomb attacks against security forces in Mosul.

After questioning people and assessing evidence at the scene, the police arrested three suspected criminal associates of the warranted al-Qaida in Iraq member.

On Jan. 10, Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspected terrorists during three combined operations in Baghdad and northern Iraq to arrest several suspected members of al-Qaida in Iraq.

In southeastern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who works directly for the leadership of the terrorist group and maintains a network of safe houses for other terrorists in the area.

Based on preliminary questioning and other evidence collected at the scene, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the targeted man, as well as six suspected criminal associates, without incident.

During a separate security operation in Beiji, southwest of Kirkuk, an Iraqi emergency response unit and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who coordinates suicide-vest attacks in the region. The unit arrested four suspected criminal associates of the suspected terrorist without incident.

Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested several suspected terrorists and seized weapons in recent days, military officials reported.

Iraqi security forces today arrested 14 suspected terrorists during a series of operations conducted in northern Iraq targeting suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members.

In southwest Baghdad, Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq explosives operative believed to be planning and conducting homemade bomb attacks throughout Diyala province.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation in Jalula, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. forces arrested four suspected al-Qaida members.

Also today, while conducting an operation southwest of Kirkuk, Iraqi and U.S. forces arrested nine suspected al-Qaida members.

During an operation in Ninevah yesterday, Iraqi and U.S. forces shot and killed a suspected terrorist after he fired at them. Another suspect was arrested.

Also yesterday, Iraqi security forces arrested three suspected terrorists during operations conducted near Mosul and Baghdad.

Additionally, a surveillance crewman on board a 25th Combat Aviation Brigade surveillance aircraft spotted three suspicious men digging and placing an unknown object alongside a road north of Kirkuk on Dec. 25.

As members of a route clearance team attempted to capture the suspects, two of the suspects began shooting. The patrol returned fire, killing one suspect and injuring another. The third suspect surrendered. The soldiers discovered two homemade bombs where the suspects had been digging. They also found two 105 mm artillery rounds, a 122 mm artillery round, a landmine and an 80 mm mortar round. A U.S. explosive ordnance disposal team used C4 explosives to destroy the bombs and artillery rounds.

After questioning the non-injured suspect, Iraqi soldiers went to his house and arrested three more suspects.

In other operations in Iraq:

– Iraqi police and U.S. advisors arrested four suspected terrorists Dec. 25 and 26 in northeastern Mosul while targeting a suspected member of al-Qaida in Iraq believed to be responsible for suicide vest attacks in Balad and Muqdadiyah.

– Iraqi police arrested a suspected terrorist group leader and nine suspects Dec. 26 during security operations near Tikrit. The security team discovered five 107 mm rockets, more than 20 rocket-propelled grenades, seven RPG launchers, two 80 mm mortars and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

– Iraqi security forces arrested two terrorist suspects during a Dec. 26 operation in northeastern Baghdad.

– Iraqi security forces arrested five suspected members of the Kata’ib Hezbollah terrorist group Dec. 24 in northeastern Baghdad.

– Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected terrorists Dec. 24 in Tikrit. The suspects are believed to be associates of a leader of a Jaysh al-Islami Mujahadeen explosives cell that operates in Bayji.

Iraqi security forces working with U.S. advisors arrested seven terrorism suspects today during two security operations, military officials reported.

Four suspects were arrested in Rashidiyah, north of Mosul, during an operation conducted to arrest a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member believed responsible for suicide-vest attacks in Balad and Muqdadiyah.

Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to arrest four suspected criminal associates of the al-Qaida in Iraq member without incident.

In southern Baghdad, Iraqi forces arrested a suspected member of a Kataib Hezbollah explosives cell believed to be responsible for mortar attacks conducted in September against security forces and civilians in the Basra region and two suspected accomplices.

After conducting preliminary questioning and examining evidence at the scene, Iraqi forces arrested the alleged Kataib Hezbollah member and his accomplices without incident.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Baghdad, Iraq today to meet with Iraqi and U.S. military leaders about continuing progress toward building Iraqi security forces and drawing down the U.S. force presence here to 50,000 by late August, according to AFPS’ Donna Miles.

The visit, Gates’ first since July, comes as the Iraqis have resolved election law issues and set a March 7 date for national elections, and amid a rash of violence that a senior defense official called an act of desperation by the greatly weakened al-Qaida remnants here.

During Gates’ sessions with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and the Presidency Council, he’ll join the chorus of U.S. political and military leaders in condemning the violence, and offer whatever assistance is needed to recover and prevent future attacks, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.

The most recent attack, just two days ago, involved four car bombings in Baghdad. These, along with other major bomb attacks in recent months, have left an estimated 400 people dead and inflicted heavy damage on four government ministries.

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, has stated that he has no reason to believe that the violence will slow down the drawdown schedule, Morrell noted.

A senior defense official traveling with Gates called the “Hail Mary” attacks “a desperate attempt [by a diminished al-Qaida] to stay relevant” and to reignite sectarian violence. “I don’t think anyone believes they will be successful,” he said.

He cited the Iraqi leadership’s commitment to preventing any resurgence of the sectarian violence that gripped Iraq three years ago, and the fact that “the Iraqi people are sick of this.”

Maliki called on the Iraqi people yesterday not to allow the attacks to disrupt the political process. “This should be a reason for unity and solidarity, because if we face these challenges divided, that means disunity of the Iraqi people against the terrorists and terrorism,” he said in a televised address.

Gates will congratulate the Iraqis during his visit for their passage of the long-awaited election laws. He will recognize that “a lot of hard work and compromise” went into the effort, and express hope that “the same spirit of cooperation will carry on after the Iraqi elections” to reduce destabilizing conditions, Morrell said.

Odierno wants to maintain sufficient forces in Iraq during the critical periods just before, during and after the national elections, but does not believe the slippage of the election day schedule to “put any undue pressure” on his drawdown plan, Morrell said. The steepest drop in troop numbers is expected to begin in May.

Gates will deliver a third message as he continues to press Iraqi Kurds and Arabs to iron out differences that have the potential to escalate. He emphasized during his last visit here that tensions between Iraq’s Arab-led central government and the self-ruled Kurdish region in the north threaten Iraq’s security.

Gates arrived here after a two-day visit to Afghanistan, where the focus was on the 30,000 additional troops who will begin arriving there next week in support of President Barack Obama’s new strategy.