Arrests in Iraq reporter killings

Atwar Bahjat had only recently starting working for al-Arabiya

Six men have been arrested in Iraq on suspicion of involvement in the murder of a female journalist and her crew from the al-Arabiya television network.

Iraqi Defence Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi said the arrests were made in the course of Operation Swarmer, a US-led offensive north of Samarra.

Atwar Bahjat, her cameraman and soundman were seized by gunmen and shot dead near Samarra in February.

They were reporting on the bombing of the al-Askari shrine in the city.

The bombing led to an upsurge in sectarian violence throughout the country.

In a statement, Mr Dulaimi said the men "will be put on public display today or tomorrow".

Iraqi control

Saturday is the third day of Operation Swarmer, which the US military says is the largest air assault operation since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

The offensive was expected to last several days

Of 1,500 troops taking part, more than half are Iraqi.

Although currently responsible for security in less than half of Iraq's territory, US Lt Gen Peter Chiarelli has said 75% of Iraqi territory will soon be under the control of Iraqi security forces.

Ms Bahjat, 26, was an Iraqi citizen and had recently moved to Saudi-owned al-Arabiya from rival al-Jazeera.

Cameraman Adnan Khairallah and soundman Khaled Mohsen worked for a local production company.