The U.S. military statement said the senior Hizbullah leader served as a
weapons facilitator and attack planner. The detainee was said to have
been involved in attacks on Iraqi security forces, civilians and U.S.
forces.
"Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi forces to
identify and arrest the warranted KH [Kata'ib Hizbullah] leader and two
criminal associates," the military said.
Hizbullah has been regarded as a major Shi'ite militia in Iraq.
Officials said Hizbullah has been trained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps to conduct mortar, rocket and other attacks throughout Baghdad.
Iran was believed to have smuggled missiles, mortars and rockets to
Shi'ite militias in Iraq. On May 3, Iraqi security forces found a
significant cache of alleged Iranian weapons, including 12 high-explosive
SPG-9 missiles and 100 mortar rounds.
"This is a significant munitions find," U.S. Army Capt. Robert Jones, an
assessment officer, said. "The Directorate of Border Enforcement took
IED-making materials out of the hands of anti-government forces, and is
protecting the people of Iraq."