According to a report by Al-Alam correspondent on Wednesday, 13 militants were killed and several were wounded in the clashes.

Eighteen children were rescued in an operation at an encampment in Al-Hawija, who were abducted by militants to be used as human shields in fightings.

Another battle near Al-Hawija also left at least 20 militants dead. Three army soldiers were also killed in the clashes

In a statement on the raid, the defense ministry said fighting erupted when troops opened fire after coming under attack from gunmen during a raid on the makeshift protest camp in a square in Al-Hawija.

The defense ministry and military said troops found rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles, and other weapons.

According to the statement 75 rebels linked to al-Qaeda and outlawed Ba'ath party were detained for holding armed protests in Al-Hawija.

During the operations, Iraqi army found documents about activities of an insurgency group called Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order, which is affiliated with former Iraqi vice-president Izzat Ibrahim ad-Douri who served during the rule of toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

Last two days of violence in Iraq killed 118 people, 99 of them in clashes and attacks involving security forces, protesters and their supporters.