Earlier reports about a “coup attempt” in Iraq may have been false: Iraqi officer arrests related to ‘terror’: general.

BAGHDAD (AFP) — A top Iraqi general said on Thursday that security forces reportedly arrested in connection with an attempted coup were actually detained on suspicion of aiding “terrorism.”

“The office of the commanding general of the armed forces announces the arrest of 24 officers from the ministries of interior and defence who have nothing to do with an attempted coup,” said a statement from General Qasem Atta, spokesman for Iraq’s military command.

Earlier an unidentified senior interior ministry official said almost 40 policemen were in custody accused of plotting a coup against the Shiite-led government and trying to bring the Baath Party of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein back to power.

Atta said the arrests were carried out “following information that certain officers have aided terrorist activity, outlaws and henchmen from the former regime.”

Here’s the report that’s now being disavowed: Iraq arrests 50 over coup plot: security official.

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq has arrested about 50 interior ministry officials for plotting a coup against the Shiite-led government, a senior Iraqi security official said on Thursday.

“Fifty interior ministry civil servants, including senior officials, were arrested over the past three days for trying to topple the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Among those seized was General Ahmad Abul Rif, the ministry’s security chief, he said.

“They were linked to the Al-Awda (The Return), a clandestine group that was working to bring the Baath Party back into power,” he said.