Sepcial Report: Tension accelerates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Two al-Qaida members were killed last Tuesday during a coalition forces' operation conducted in south of Baghdad, the U.S. army said in a statement on Sunday.

    The statement said that the raid was based on "intelligence reports" which helped to locate and kill two al-Qaida members accused of "being involved in terrorist operations in Iraq."

    "One of the terrorists killed, Abu Ahad, managed foreign fighter facilitation and also provided a modicum of command and control between several terrorist cells operating throughout the vicinity of Fallujah, Baghdad, Yusifiyah, Taji and Mahmudiyah," it said.

    The other was unidentified, but "intelligence officials affirmed his involvement in coordinating terrorist operations as well as his association with Abu Ahad," it added.

    The U.S. army and Iraqi authorities have frequently announced capture or killing of al-Qaida local leaders and their associates. Enditem