Baghdad, 22 Oct. (AKI) - More than 60 people have been killed in a series of violent clashes between al-Qaeda and the Islamic Army in the area of al-Khannasa, north of Baghdad.

According to the Arab newspaper, al-Quds al-Arabi, the attacks took place in the past few days after terrorists from al-Qaeda kidnapped the head of the Islamic Army in Madain, Wahid Arzuqi.

Various witnesses said Arzuqi was kidnapped after receiving various threats, in particular a fierce verbal attack in a meeting organised with other Iraqi guerillas.

Tensions between al-Qaeda and the rival militant organisation have reportedly been ignited in recent weeks after the deaths of several members of the Islamic Army in Samarra, Kirkuk and al-Duluiya.

The Islamic Army is one of a number of underground Baathist and Islamist organisations formed in Iraq following the 2003 allied invasion and collapse of the Baathist government headed by Saddam Hussein.

Although it carries an Islamic title, the group appears to mix Islamism with nationalism and is believed to be the largest militant group that consists of former Baathists.