BAGHDAD, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Monday coalition forces had killed 15 suspected militants during an operation to tackle al Qaeda in central Iraq.

The troops, acting on a tip-off, had targeted a suspected meeting place of the Sunni Islamist militants on Sunday near Khalis, 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said in a statement.

During the operation, which involved air strikes, 15 militants were killed and another eight suspects were detained.

While attacks across the country have fallen sharply in recent months, U.S. commanders say al Qaeda in Iraq remains a potent enemy.

U.S. forces are currently conducting operations against the militants in the north of the country where they have regrouped after being ousted last year from strongholds in the western Anbar province and from around Baghdad. (Reporting by Michael Holden)

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