Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Iraq, in wake of the withdrawal of the U.S. military, has
reported an extensive insurgency presence.

The Interior Ministry has determined that nearly 60 insurgency cells
were operating throughout Iraq. The ministry said many of the cells were
linked to Al Qaida and conducted mass-casualty bombings over the last six
months.

“There are 57 terrorist cell engaged in criminal activities across the country,” Interior Ministry senior official Adnan Assadi said.

[On Jan. 5, at least 30 people were killed in multiple bombing attacks in Baghdad believed conducted by Al Qaida. One of the bombs was planted in the Shi’ite stronghold of Sadr City and killed at least 10 people.]

At a news conference in Baghdad on Jan. 3, Assadi cited one of the largest of suspected insurgency cells, captured in late 2011. The cell, based in Baghdad, was said to have ordered or conducted 300 operations, most of them assassinations.

“The detainees were linked to former Vice President Izzat Douri,” Assadi said.

So far, 21 members of the alleged cell, led by Abdul Khaliq Abdul
Sattar Al Samarai, 66, were arrested. Officials said the suspects confessed
to targeting prominent Iraqis, including judges, security commanders and
physicians.

“We will show the confessions of another group of terrorists who were
arrested recently and the 14 belonging to a terrorist cell linked to Al
Qaida,” Maj. Gen. Mehdi Faqiqi, director of intelligence at the ministry,
said. “These groups were seeking to implement serious terrorist plots
that targeted [Shi’ite] pilgrims, including those around Karbala.”

  Adnan Assadi, Al Qaida, Baghdad, Iraq reports ’57 terrorist cells’ nationwide in wake of U.S. withdrawal, Izzat Douri, Karbala, Maj. Gen. Mehdi Faqiqi, Sadr City, Shi’ite