US troops capture suspected Saddam cohorts

American forces captured six people today who are ”closely tied” to Saddam Hussein and his regime and are suspected of anti-coalition activities including attacks on helicopters, a US commander said.

The raids around Tikrit, Saddam’s home town, were targeted against Iraqis suspected of involvement in attacks on US troops and helicopters, said Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell, a battalion commander in the 4th Infantry Division.