"The 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units have conducted 161 patrols, including 10 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police," said the statement datelined from Ramadi, a hotbed of loyalists to ousted president Saddam Hussein. "During these operations, 63 enemy personnel were captured and one killed while suffering no US casualties," it said.

In one raid "Paratroopers conducted a cordon and search in Nassir Wa Al Salaam to capture six members of a Wahabbist cell," it said, referring to Islamic fundamentalists.

"Thirteen enemy personnel were captured and taken into custody for questioning. Also, several small arms weapons, various munitions, military uniforms, U.S. and Iraqi cash, counterfeit money, and improvised explosive device (IED)-making materials were confiscated during the mission."

The 1st Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division fired three high-explosive shells at a house after it came under attack with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and small arms fire northwest of Khalidiyah, near Ramadi, about 100km from Baghdad.

"The unit returned fire... and then engaged the house with three 120mm High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds. The unit killed one enemy and captured eight others."