Tikrit, Iraq ? More than 100 U.S. troops stormed homes in Saddam Hussein’s hometown Tikrit early today, searching for Saddam loyalists accused of financing or coordinating attacks on American soldiers. Four wanted men were arrested, the military said.

Acting on tips from Iraqis detained in previous raids as well as intelligence sources, the troops raided the houses in Tikrit almost simultaneously, catching the men asleep.

The bloodless raid involved three companies from the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division in Humvees, Bradley fighting vehicles and 5-ton trucks.

“All those targeted were involved in attacks on coalition forces and government officials,” said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, 1st Battalion commander. “The message we communicate is if you involve in this type of activity, we will hunt you down or we will kill you.”

The raid targeted six men suspected of financing attacks on U.S.-led coalition forces in and around Tikrit, the hotbed of support for Saddam. At least two of them were not in their homes, said Col. James Hickey, commander of the 4th Infantry’s 1st Brigade.

The rest included cell leaders of Saddam Fedayeen guerrillas, who have fired rocket-propelled grenades on American patrols and rigged the roads of Tikrit with homemade bombs that have killed or wounded dozens of soldiers, U.S. military officials said.

The detainees were loaded on a truck, and blindfolded, with their hands tied with plastic zipcuffs.

On Sunday, U.S. troops in the town shot and killed two Iraqis who opened fire on one of the Army observation posts. The attackers then escaped jumping roof to roof, but were chased down by soldiers with the help of residents who gave away their hideout.

Col. James Hickey, center rear, commander of the 4th Infantry's 1st Brigade questions a suspected Saddam loyalist taken into custody after a raid on a house in the early hours this morning in Tikrit, Iraq. More than 100 U.S. troops stormed homes in Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit early today, searching for Saddam loyalists accused of financing or coordinating attacks on American soldiers.