Iraq: Sunni fighters detained for past attacks

Iraq officials say three leading members of an anti-insurgent Sunni militia are in custody on suspicion of staging attacks before they switched sides to join US-led forces.

Iraq officials say three leading members of an anti-insurgent Sunni militia are in custody on suspicion of staging attacks before they switched sides to join US-led forces.

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Iraqi officials say they are accused of violence during 2005 and 2006, including shooting down an American helicopter and targeting police.

Such arrests test Iraqi government pledges to reward so-called Awakening Council fighters, who turned against insurgents in 2006.

A local Awakening leader, Mullah Nadhum al-Jubouri, and his two brothers were detained in a raid on Saturday north of Baghdad. Officials say the suspects are being held Sunday at a US-Iraq base.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to release the information.