with al-Qaida north of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Nov 10, SPA -- At least 18 people were killed in clashesbetween al-Qaida fighters and former insurgents who turnedagainst the terror network, said Iraqi police and a formerinsurgent leader as saying Saturday. Most members of the Islamic Army, a major Sunni Arabinsurgent group that includes former members of SaddamHussein's Baath Party, joined U.S. forces battling al-Qaidain Iraq earlier this year, though some of the group'sleaders deny any contact with American troops. A top Islamic Army leader, known as Abu Ibrahim, told TheAssociated Press that his fighters ambushed al-Qaidamembers near Samarra on Friday, killing 18 people andseizing 16 prisoners. An Iraqi police officer in the area corroborated AbuIbrahim's account, and said the hostages would not betransferred to Iraqi police. Instead, he said he believedthe Islamic Army would offer a prisoner swap for some ofits members held by al-Qaida. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/498461