American troops swooped into a remote Iraqi village aboard Black Hawk helicopters Monday in search of a member of Saddam Hussein's inner circle. They couldn't find him, but rounded up about 70 suspects.
North of Baghdad, meanwhile, three American soldiers were wounded in a grenade attack, a day after a US military policeman was killed in a bombing.
The main target of the raid in Ain Lalin was a former regime member who is on the US list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis and who has gained growing importance as the coalition thins the ranks of Saddam's inner circle, said Lt. Col. Mark Young. He would not identify the target.
About 70 men were detained, and some were still being questioned late Monday, 4th Infantry spokeswoman Maj. Josslyn Aberle said.
Young said the raid sent a powerful message.
"Even if we didn't get the guy, it shows there is nowhere that the coalition can't go and for these guys can find sanctuary," Young said as soldiers searched homes and vehicles leaving the village, 60 miles northeast of Baghdad. They encountered no resistance.
"If I was Saddam Hussein, I would be sleeping with one eye open and probably be a nervous wreck by now," he said. "He's got to hear footsteps behind him."
Three soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division were wounded today after guerrillas ambushed their patrol in Shumayt, just north of Tikrit, spokesman Lt. Col. Bill MacDonald said. All three and were in stable condition.