(KUNA) -- The US army said on Sunday the Iraqi forces were able to free two hostages and arrest the kidnappers who are involved in death squads east of Baghdad. A statement by the Multinational Forces in Iraq said Iraqi security forces backed up by the Multi-National Forces carried out two raid operations against individuals involved in death squads and racial violence east of Baghdad. The forces were confronted by heavy continuous fire and RPG missiles during the raids, the statement added. The joint forces were able to raid its targets without any casualties among its soldiers, it added. According to the statement two Iraqi hostages were freed and eight kidnappers were arrested.Iraqi security forces said fierce raids broke out this morning when US-Iraqi forces raided Al-Sadr town east of Baghdad. The sources said the joint forces backed up by US helicopters raided in the early hours of Sunday morning Al-Sadr town.