KHALDIYAH, Oct 22: Some 100 people demonstrated on Wednesday in the town of Khaldiyah, west of Baghdad, calling for the release of three women arrested by United States soldiers.

The women were arrested three days ago instead of their husbands, who are accused of participating in the Iraqi resistance against US occupying troops.

American soldiers went to the men’s houses to arrest them, and failing to find them, arrested their wives.

Carrying Iraqi flags, the protesters gathered in front of the town’s municipal council, chanting: “Americans, free the women immediately.” —AFP