TWO U.S. SOLDIERS WERE KILLED BY A BOMB WHILE ON A FOOT PATROL SOUTH OF BAGHDAD ON SATURDAY, RAISING TO 16 THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN DEATHS REPORTED BY THE MILITARY THIS WEEK, AP REPORTED AND UNDERSCORING THE DANGERS FACING U.S. FORCES SUPPORTING AN IRAQI-LED OPERATION TO RESTORE SECURITY IN THE CAPITAL. AMERICAN FORCES ALSO DETAINED A TOP SUNNI RELIGIOUS LEADER FOR SEVERAL HOURS SATURDAY, SAYING HE WAS CAUGHT UP IN A RAID AGAINST TERROR SUSPECTS. THE U.S. MILITARY SAID IT DETAINED FIVE TERROR SUSPECTS DURING A RAID IN THE VICINITY OF TIKRIT, 130 KILOMETERS (80 MILES) NORTH OF BAGHDAD, AND LATER REALIZED THAT ONE OF THEM WAS A SENIOR SHEIK, WHO WAS RELEASED. «THE SECURITY FORCES DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A SENIOR SHEIK'S HOUSE WHEN THEY CONDUCTED THE ASSAULT,» THE STATEMENT SAID.
