Fighting broke out between Iraqi police and the soldiers, until commanders told the police to silence their weapons, security officials said. At least two civilians and four police were wounded in the shoot out, they added.
Separately, special forces also assaulted the house of the dean of Diyala's university, Nazar Jabar al-Khafaji, and led him away.
The surprise raid on the Baqouba governorate building came amid an Iraqi security crackdown in Diyala province that has targeted al-Qaida in Iraq. The Diyala region, with its mosaic of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, continues to be one of the more volatile areas and remains strategically important because it borders Baghdad.
The Iraqi Accordance Front, the main Sunni bloc in parliament, condemned the raid and demanded the truth about who ordered the arrests.
"Some said they are connected with the prime minister. ... Others said they are connected with higher authorities," said the bloc's spokesman Selim Abdullah. "We are awaiting the government's reply."
A senior Iraqi army officer who took part in the raid said troops carried arrest warrants for both the university president and the head of the security committee.
Al-Kafaji, the university president, was believed behind the assassination of professors, and al-Zubaidi was also suspected of a role in killings, the officer said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media.
Ned Parker and Usama Redha write for the Los Angeles Times. The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Killed in Iraq
As of yesterday, at least 4,144 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war.
Identifications
Sgt. James A. McHale, 31, Fairfield, Mont.; died July 30 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, of wounds suffered July 22 in Taji when his vehicle struck an explosive; 40th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division; Baumholder, Germany.
Tech. Sgt. Jackie L. Larsen, 37, Tacoma, Wash.; died of natural causes July 17 at Balad Air Base; 9th Reconnaissance Wing; Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
Staff Sgt. David W. Textor, 27, Roanoke, Va.; died July 15 in Mosul of injuries in a vehicle incident; the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne); Fort Lewis, Wash.
Associated Press
