Tikrit, Iraq ? U.S. forces captured a suspected leader of Saddam Hussein’s loyalist militia and three other suspects during pre-dawn raids early today, the military said.

The suspected leader allegedly organized cells and paid and armed guerrilla fighters for attacks on U.S. forces in Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the 22nd Infantry Regiment’s 1st Battalion, which carried out the raids.

Also among those captured were two former Iraqi generals suspected of organizing guerrilla attacks nationwide. Russell declined to name any of the suspects.

Eighteen other suspected guerrillas were arrested in seven raids late Tuesday and early Wednesday across north-central Iraq, Maj. Josslyn Aberle said.