Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Tuesday, 12 August 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ

Press Release A080812a-084

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured nine suspects believed to be associated with Kata’ib Hezbollah during multiple operations in the Adhamiyah area of Baghdad Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Intelligence sources led Coalition forces to the location of a suspected Kata’ib Hezbollah associate believed to be in control of at least one terrorist cell operating in the southern Iraqi city of Basrah. According to information from suspects already in custody, he is believed to be involved in smuggling weapons and fighters across the Iraq-Iran border. Coalition forces approached the targeted individual’s location where he identified himself to forces as the wanted suspect. He was then detained along with three associates without incident.

In a separate operation in Adhamiyah, Coalition forces targeted the location of a man believed to be associated with improvised rocket assisted mortar attacks. Coalition forces entered the targeted individual’s location where they detained him and two associates. In addition, forces found weapons, as well as electronics equipment believed to be used in the manufacture of IRAMs.

In a third operation near Adhamiyah, Coalition forces pursued a suspected propaganda expert for Kata’ib Hezbollah. Coalition forces detained the wanted man and one other suspect without incident. During questioning on-scene, the man admitted to designing websites for Kata’ib Hezbollah in order for the group to publicize their IRAM attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces.

While Kata’ib Hezbollah is not part of Special Groups, it is similar in that it’s reported they receive support from Iran in the way of funding, logistics, and weapons such as improvised rocket assisted mortars. They are also believed to receive guidance or direction from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force.