US forces kill six in Iraq raids

US troops killed six people and destroyed a weapons cache today in separate raids in Baghdad and north-west of the Iraqi capital, the US military said.

American forces killed four people and destroyed two buildings in a morning raid in the village of Thar Thar, north-west of Baghdad, the military said in a statement.

Intelligence reports indicated that roadside bombs were being produced in the buildings, and US troops found home-made explosives, two large bombs, a rocket-propelled grenade, suicide vests and multiple batteries, the military said.

“Upon entering the first building, coalition forces were engaged by armed terrorists. Coalition forces returned fire, killing four terrorists,” the statement said. The military then destroyed the buildings in an air strike.

In another raid, US troops killed two people and captured two others in a raid against purported al Qaida terrorists in Baghdad, the military said. Two Iraqis were also wounded. A cache of AK-47s was seized in that raid.