Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces backed by U.S. troops killed a senior al-Qaida leader during operation in north of Baghdad on Thursday, the U.S. military said Saturday.

    Based on tips from local citizens, the troops conducted a cache-clearing operation in the Tarmiyah area, some 40 km north of Baghdad, killing Abu Ghazwan who is accused of commanding numerous terrorists' cells in the Taji and Tarmiyah areas, a military statement said.

    Abu Ghazwan was also responsible for building car bombs for use in the Baghdad area and supervising the recruiting and training children and females for carrying out suicide attacks against U.S. and Iraqi security forces, the statement said.

    During the operation, the troops detained an individual suspected of working for Abu Ghazwan, it added.

    The troops also "discovered a cache consisting of various ammunition rounds, knives, gun powder and a small amount of plastic explosives."

    U.S. troops and Iraqi security forces frequently kill or detain al-Qaida members in Iraq.

    According to the military, U.S. troops killed Abu Qaswarah, the number two al-Qaida leader in Iraq during an operation in Iraq's northern city of Mosul early last month.