Two Saddam Loyalists Taken Into Custody
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A former high-ranking member of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, accused of involvement in recent attacks, has surrendered to the U.S. forces in central Iraq, the U.S. military said Tuesday.
Gen. Matloob Muslat Sayer, who was a member of Saddam's Fedayeen Militia (search), gave himself up on Monday in Al Anbar province, the military said in a statement.
Former Iraqi Intelligence Service officer, Col. Abdul Hadi, was captured last Friday in Ramadi -- also in Anbar province, the statement said. It gave no other details.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The province is part of the so-called "Sunni Triangle (search)," the heartland of Saddam loyalists who have been waging a guerrilla war against U.S. forces with roadside bombs, car bombs and hit-and-run gun attacks.
The statement said Sayer, his family and associates were involved in some of the recent attacks on coalition forces and has been linked to foreign fighters and extremists.
It said a search of his home turned up two AK-47 rifles, nine magazines and bomb making material.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A total of 230 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq in the insurgency since May 1 when President Bush declared an end to major conflict.