the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) said in a statement that an Iranian-trained “Special Groups” leader surrendered to Coalition forces Friday during operations in al-Hayy, near the city of al-Kut about 190 miles southeast of Baghdad, the United States military announced.

“Acting on intelligence information, Coalition forces raided the presumed residence of an Iranian-trained Special Groups leader suspected of directing and ordering attacks against Coalition forces in Wasit Province, as well as attacks and kidnappings against civil authorities there”, the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) said in a statement. “The man is also suspected of smuggling Iranian weapons into Baghdad, specifically Katyusha rockets”.
The “suspected criminal” surrendered without incident, the statement added.

In a separate operation in al-Hayy, Coalition forces raided the presumed residence of a “wanted Special Groups criminal”.
As Coalition forces approached, the suspect attempted to flee the area by wading through an irrigation canal. Coalition forces were able to track the individual, after which he surrendered, the statement said.

“Coalition forces continue to degrade the Special Groups’ ability to wage indiscriminate violence against innocent Iraqis”, said U.S. Army Capt. Charles Calio, an MNF-I spokesperson.

Separately, Coalition forces captured an alleged “Special Groups” leader, and the suspected “primary Special Groups weapons smuggler and financier for Al Kut” in operations south of Baghdad on Thursday.

“Acting on intelligence information, Coalition forces conducted a raid on the residence of a suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups leader in al-Mahawil, which lies about 70 km south of Baghdad near Hillah”, the MNF-I said. “Coalition forces entered the suspected outlaw’s residence where he surrendered without incident.

The Asharq al-Awsat daily wrote: The Iraqi security forces, with the support of US forces , arrested Lebanon’s Hizbullah number 2 man in Sadr City of Baghdad.

From the other side, the Iraqi Army announced that Lebanon’s Hizbullah has a significant role in training terrorist and extremist militias in Iraq. The arrest of two people from the Iranian regime’s terrorist groups during last week, one of whom a senior staff member of Interior Ministry, has been effective in finding hideout of Hizbullahs’ No. 2 man.