"Based on information gleaned from Special Groups suspects already in
custody, he is a senior leader responsible for supplying weapons, money and
logistical support to subordinate Special Groups commanders," the military
official said. "He also provides fighters as reinforcements to areas in
need — making his role crucial for
sustained operations by Special Groups in Karkh."
Officials said the operation capped weeks of a search effort for key
members of the Special Groups, a splinter of the Mahdi Army. They said one
of the commanders was tracked to Baghdad's Sadr City, identified as the
headquarters for the Mahdi Army and Special Groups.
"According to information provided by suspected Special Groups criminals
already in custody, the reported agent of Iran is responsible for attacks
against Iraqi security and coalition forces as well as kidnappings and
smuggling of weapons from Iran to Iraq," the military said.
Officials said Special Groups was responsible for the smuggling of
explosively-formed penetrators from Iran in 2007. The militia was also said
to have introduced the Improvised Rocket-Assisted Munitions, or IRAM, a 107
mm
rocket filled with explosives and fired in salvos by remote control from a
truck.
Officials said that over the last three months, Iraqi and U.S. forces
eroded the capabilities of Iranian-backed militias in the Baghdad area. They
said many Shi'ites, fed up with the extortion employed by the militias,
provided the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki with information
on the identities and whereabouts of Mahdi Army and Special Groups
operatives.
In Rusafa, Shi'ites have directed U.S. and Iraqi forces to Iranian
weapons caches comprised of rocket-propelled grenades, 107 mm rockets, EFPs
and munitions. The Iraq Army's 1st Division, 4th Brigade, 3rd Battalion has
been responsible for the area.
"This shows that the people of Rusafa can trust us to secure and protect
their city," Iraqi Lt. Col. Mohammed Karsol, commander of 3rd Battalion,
said.