Iraq’s security forces have arrested two Jewish Americans running espionage operations in Iraq’s northern province of Diyala, an Iraqi official announced on Saturday.

The two inmates were involved in espionage operations and took photographs from sensitive locations in Diyala province and in areas in the vicinity of the country’s borders, specially in the Mandali border region, an informed source in the Iraqi government told FNA on the condition of anonymity.

The source reiterated that the two US nationals were carrying several modern tools and equipment at the time of arrest.

The source noted that the Diyala police department has handed over the two spies to the police headquarters in Baghdad, adding that the US embassy in the Iraqi capital is imposing much pressure on the Iraqi government to release the two.

Earlier in July 2010, Ahlul Bayt News Agency reported that Zionist spies are working as specialists in the field of Iraq’s cultural heritage and history. A majority of their activities have concentrated on Kurdistan, the Arab news agency added.

Ever since the US invasion in 2003, Israel has increased its spying activities in Iraq through various means.

The Israeli spies who mostly introduce themselves as traders and businessmen are seeking hard to attract the Kurdish youths to their cause. Other Israeli activities in Iraq are the purchase of land and propagation of anti-Islamic sentiments.

(Source: FARS News Agency)