Iraqi forces seize explosives, arrest 25 in raids

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces on Tuesday arrested 25 people suspected of plotting attacks and imposed a temporary curfew on parts of the capital as they conducted raids and seized explosives.

Police confiscated 200 kg (440 pounds) of C4 explosives, the same amount of TNT, 60 other explosives of different types and a quantity of ammonium nitrate, said Major General Qassim al-Moussawi, a spokesman for Baghdad security forces.

Ammonium nitrate is a compound used as a fertilizer and an ingredient in bombs.

"They were planning to implement terrorist acts," Moussawi said.

Although overall violence has declined in Iraq, Baghdad has been hit by a series of high-profile bombings in recent months, including a coordinated attack on December 8 in which four car bombs exploded near justice buildings, a finance ministry office and a police checkpoint, killing up to 112 people.

U.S. military officials have said they expect more attacks ahead of a parliamentary election on March 7, as Iraq tries to consolidate its security gains and the United States prepares to withdraw troops.

The curfew in parts of Baghdad followed a tip-off from a citizen. "The council of ministers call on citizens to understand the measures that were taken as part of pre-emptive operations," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.

"The goal is to protect citizens and to surround and arrest the terrorists."

(Reporting by Waleed Ibrahim; writing by Jim Loney; editing by Janet Lawrence)