Baghdad - Three key terror suspects allegedly affiliated to the al-Qaeda in Iraq group have turned themselves in to Iraqi and coalition forces, the US military said Thursday.

A leader of the Islamic State in Iraq, also known as al-Qaeda in Iraq, in the western Sinjar area surrendered to Iraqi troops on July 5, the US military said in a statement.

The suspect was allegedly involved in facilitating the work of foreign fighters in Iraq and leading a terrorist cell specialized in making explosive devices.

Another suspected leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Rutbah region turned himself in to US-led coalition forces. The man is believed to be have been involved in facilitating entry of foreign fighters into Iraq and smuggling weapons and narcotics, according to the statement.

The third suspect surrendered to US special forces on July 19 in Sinjar following an operation to arrest at his home two days earlier.

He was linked to a Syria-based financier working for the Islamic State of Iraq, the statement said. (dpa)