US military says 6 suspected Iraq al-Qaida leaders killed or arrested in joint missions

US: 6 Iraq al-Qaida leaders killed or arrested

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military in Iraq says a joint mission by American and Iraqi troops has killed or arrested six suspected al-Qaida leaders accused of running an extortion and assassination ring in the north of the country.

A U.S. military statement late Thursday said the operation was carried out from March 18-24 in Mosul, 225 miles (360 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad.

It says the network helped fund al-Qaida in northern Iraq by targeting oil companies and small businesses for extortion.

The statement added that the ability of al-Qaida in Iraq to operate and restructure will be “severely hindered” because of the operation.