"We've killed or detained 455 Special Groups operatives in the last six
months," Hammond told a briefing on Monday. "Now, intelligence reports
indicate that these criminals receive support from elements in Iran."
Despite its denials, Hammond said, Iran continues to supply Iraqi
Shi'ite insurgents with weapons and training. He said Iraqi and U.S. units
have confiscated weapons manufactured in Iran in 2008.
"I can tell you some weapons recovered in Baghdad were identified as
being produced in Iran," Hammond said. "The most recent data production
[mark] was February 2008."
Hammond said the Special Groups, believed to consist of defectors
from the Mahdi Army, has sustained heavy losses over the last month. In Sadr
City, Iraqi security forces killed 163 Special Groups members.
Iraqi and U.S. troops also found 175 improvised explosive devices, 76 of
them deemed explosively-formed projectiles, designed to pierce
Western-origin main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers. The weapons
caches also contained rocket-propelled grenades and rifles as well as more
than 320 mortar rounds. Hammond said the Iraq Army, with U.S. air support,
destroyed 61 enemy mortar teams in Sadr City.
"There are still challenges ahead," Hammond said.