US capture Saddam’s bodyguards
The US military is claiming that it has captured a number of people believed to be Saddam Hussein’s bodyguards.
Major General Ray Odierno, commander of the 4th Infantry Division announced that five to ten people had been captured in a raid in the town of Tikrit.
Tikrit is Saddam Hussein’s hometown and is seen as a stronghold for his supporters.
Major General Odierno said that the raid took place yesterday after the military had received a tip-off from an informant.
The Major General stated that it was unclear whether the men had been protecting the former Iraqi leader recently. He also stated that officials were sorting through the detainees.
The Major General was asked if he thought Saddam Hussein was nearby, but he refused to be drawn into specifics claiming that the US military was continuing to follow up a number of other leads.
Odierno stated that soldiers had been talking to a wife of Saddam Hussein, but he would not identify her.
