Multi-National Force-Iraq, 22 August 2008 – In their continued degradation of the Kata’ib Hezbollah criminal network, Coalition forces picked up two suspected associates during operations Friday morning in New Baghdad.
Acting on intelligence tips, Coalition forces raided the home of a suspected Katai’b Hezbollah propaganda expert, believed to have uploaded more than 30 attack videos to the criminal ring’s now-defunct web site.
Coalition forces entered the suspect’s residence where they detained two of the wanted man’s brothers who are believed to be involved in his criminal enterprises.
Coalition forces have detained more than 15 suspected members of Kata’ib Hezbollah in the last two months. 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.
In another operation, Iraqi Security Forces, along with Multi-National Division – Baghdad military police Soldiers confiscated more than 20 passports and detained two suspects during checkpoint operations near Thawra in the Sadr City district of Baghdad Aug. 18.
While assisting ISF and observing check point operations, the combined forces were searching a truck and confiscated the passports, which appeared to be from Iran, Jordan and Syria.