clari.world.mideast.iraq

TIKRIT, Iraq, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- . and Iraqi military
forces still hunt for terrorists in northern Iraqi provinces, but
al-Qaida "has gone to ground," a military official said Monday.
During a phone conference from outside Tikrit, . Maj.
Gen. Mark Hertling updated media on Operation Iron Harvest by .
and Iraqi soldiers in the northern provinces, specifically Diyala
province.
"Diyala is much safer today than it was a month ago.
Citizens are less afraid to go out on the street, and markets are
opening," Hertling said. "Al-Qaida has gone to ground. We are
hunting them out, where they have gone to ground, or they have
dispersed and we are pursuing them to new areas."
But he said work remains to be done to bring normalcy to the
province.
The ability of Diyala and Iraqi security forces to work with
. personnel is a major reason for success in that province, he
said.
From Dec. 24, when Operation Iron Harvest started , until
Sunday, the coalition forces conducted 74 operations, captured or
killed over 70 "high-value individuals," and captured or killed
hundreds of enemy fighters, Hertling said.
"(Our) campaign is on track and we will continue to pursue
al-Qaida in our area," he said.