Iraqi Special Operations Force backed by U.S. troops arrested 16 suspects during search operations for three U.S. soldiers kidnapped by al-Qaida in Iraq, the military said on Thursday.

"Acting on tips received from the local population, Iraqi Special Operations Forces along with the Coalition force May 16 detained 16 individuals during a search for three U.S. Soldiers missing since May 13," the military said in a statement.

Earlier in the week, the U.S. military offered a bounty of 200, 000 U.S. dollars for information that lead to the return of the missing soldiers "safely to their families."

Thousands of U.S. troops continue a massive search operation for the sixth day in Baghdad's southern area, known as insurgent strongholds, looking for three soldiers who were kidnapped near the town of Mahmoudiyah on Saturday.

However, al-Qaida organization in Iraq, which claimed responsibility for the soldiers' kidnapping, warned Monday that the U.S. troops should halt its expanding search for the missing soldiers if they want their safety.

"Your soldiers are in our hands. If you want their safety, do not search for them," the organization said in a statement posted on the Internet.

Source: Xinhua