Hearts and Minds

U.S. Frees 42 Iraqi Captives in Raid

By RAVI NESSMAN
Associated Press Writer
Published May 27, 2007, 2:31 PM CDT
BAGHDAD -- American forces freed 42 kidnapped Iraqis -- some of whom had been hung from ceilings and tortured for months -- in a raid Sunday on an al-Qaida hide-out north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

Military officials said the operation, launched on tips from residents, showed that Iraqis in the turbulent Diyala province were turning against Sunni insurgents and beginning to trust U.S. troops.

"The people in Diyala are speaking up against al-Qaida," said Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq.