THE TENSION: Forces in Iraq Kill Six, Detain 54

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 -- Coalition forces killed six wanted men, detain 54 suspects, and discover multiple weapons caches throughout Iraq, military officials said.

Coalition forces captured six wanted men and detained an additional 15 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq from Baghdad to Mosul along the Tigris River valley.

During operations yesterday:

Iraqi soldiers found substantial weapons caches containing a wide range of weapons, rounds of various sizes, and other types of equipment in the Sadr City district of Baghdad.

Encouraged by tribal leaders to end a standoff with coalition forces, more than 140 suspected turned themselves in at the Joint Coordination Center in Balad.

Iraqi soldiers found multiple weapons caches and makeshift bombs in Sadr City as part of Operation Peace.

In southeastern Baghdad, soldiers discovered a weapons cache. The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, soldiers, acting on a tip from a local citizen, found the cache in the Diyala area of New Baghdad and seized various weapons and rounds.

In operations May 21:

Coalition forces killed six men after they refused to follow instructions to surrender and exhibited hostile intent. Troops also detained two wanted individuals and detained 28 other suspected terrorists in separate operations.

Iraqi special operations forces captured a suspected insurgent financier in Zubayr. He is suspected of weapons smuggling along the Iraq-Iran border.

An Iraqi special weapons and tactics team captured two suspected terrorists in Mosul, including a high-ranking al-Qaida leader responsible for bombing attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces. Iraqi officials had issued a warrant for his arrest.