Iraqi Security Forces have killed four suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) members and arrested three criminal associates during a joint security operation in northern Iraq. According to a statement of US forces in Iraq, received by AIR in Dubai today, the operation was carried out near Mosul where Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. advisers searched multiple buildings for a suspected senior AQI leader allegedly involved in vehicle-borne improvised explosive and IED attacks on Iraqi civilians and coalition forces. The security forces, acting in self- defence, returned fire killing four individuals. Iraqi forces also arrested three suspected criminal associates of Al Qaida in Iraq.