Iraqi security forces captured a son of one of Saddam Hussein's half brothers, who allegedly financed the insurgency, in a raid on suspected militants near the ousted dictator's hometown, the government said yesterday.

The operation took place earlier this month near Tikrit, Saddam's hometown, 80 miles north of Baghdad. Several other suspected militants were arrested in the raid, which netted authorities a cache of explosives, the statement said.

Ayman Sabawi is the son of Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan, a half brother of Saddam's, who served as a presidential adviser before the U.S.-led invasion. Al-Hassan was captured Feb. 26 this year.

Ayman Sabawi "played a particularly active role in sustaining the terrorism by providing financial support, weapons and explosives to terrorist groups," the statement said.

Saddam, who has three half brothers, was captured by U.S. forces in December 2003 and remains in custody. He is charged with war crimes, but no date has been set for his trial.