PROGRESS

US soldiers have seized four relatives of the man America believes is masterminding attacks against its troops, in early morning raids today.

The raids in Samarra netted four family members, including two nephews of former Iraqi vice president Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, considered the top organiser of attacks against US forces in Iraq and the most senior Iraqi fugitive still at large.

The military said the arrest of the nephews – believed to be helping al-Douri remain in hiding – could help bring coalition forces closer to his capture. Al-Douri, a Revolutionary Command Council vice chairman and long-time Saddam confidant, is number six on the US list of 55 most wanted Iraqis.