A military operation in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh - where Al Qaeda insurgents still have a foothold - has netted about 100 suspects, a Defence Ministry spokesman said.General Mohammad al-Askari said three divisions - two from the army and the other from the police - making up a combined 15,000-strong force had been deployed for the operation launched on Friday, codenamed New Hope.
The operation has been taking place in the north-west of the province near the border with Syria, according to local residents.
"The plan was decided before the January provincial elections to ensure stability in the province," said Mr Askari.
"Niniveh and Diyala [northeast of Baghdad] need repeated military operations to put pressure on the terrorists."