Iraqi security forces on Saturday (July 7th) arrested 12 people suspected of involvement in last year's deadly attack on a Basra province mosque, police officials said.

The 2011 attack in Khamsa Meel, northern Basra, killed as many as 32 civilians and security personnel.

Col. Hussein al-Fatlawi of Basra police told Al-Shorfa security forces launched the operation early Saturday after obtaining intelligence that suspected al-Qaeda-affiliated elements were involved in the attack.

Security personnel arrested the suspects and seized various weapons, hand grenades and explosives weighing around 100 kilogrammes in raids on seven houses, he said.