(KUNA) -- Multinational Forces (MNF) arrested more than 150 insurgents in cooperation with Iraqi security forces south west of Kirkuk northern Iraq, on Sunday. In a joint military operation, more than 3000 Iraqi and US soldiers besieged Al-Riyadh city and Al-Huwijah, western Kirkuk, in search for Al-Qaeda activists, a statement by the multinational forces said today. The forces arrested 154 suspected terrorists and seized more than 350 weapons including mortar shells, guns, missiles, and RPGs.The military operation was in response to the calls of tribal leaders in the two cities who requested the intervention of military forces, especially after a series of terrorist attacks. The operation was also based on specific intelligence information that indicated the deployment of Al-Qaeda members in western Kirkuk. Over the last five weeks, 31 Iraqi soldiers were killed in attacks. During the past three days, six policemen were killed in Al-Huweija