The warhead, which contained Iranian markings, was said to be the most
advanced weapon found in the possession of the Mahdi Army.
Officials said the warhead appeared to be part of the Fajr-5
medium-range rocket produced by Iran and transferred to Hizbullah in 2006.
So far, they said, Shi'ite militias were not believed to have fired a 240 mm
rocket in Iraq.
Other weapons found in the Shi'ite militia cache in Basra included 160
mortars, 25 artillery shells and a large quantity of explosives. Officials
said the weapons contained Iranian markings and appeared less than a year
old.
Officials said Teheran was believed to have supplied missiles with a
range of at least 70 kilometers to the Mahdi Army, Special Groups and other
militias in 2008. They said the rockets were meant to be used against the U.S.-led
coalition and Baghdad government.
This was the third major cache of Iranian weapons found in about two
months. Iranian weapons were also found around Baghdad and believed to have
been smuggled to Shi'ite militias in 2008.
The Iraq Army has been waging Operation Charge of the Knights against
Iranian-backed militias, including the Special Groups. Officials said Iran
intensified its training and weapons transfers to Shi'ite militias over
the last six months.
"The Iraqi Army demonstrated their capability to protect the people of
Basrah against Special Groups and criminal elements that are ignoring the
rule of law," Harper said.
