Monday, December 22, 2008

American Forces Press Service ,Washington, Dec. 19, 2008 – Coalition forces apprehended a suspected Iranian intelligence agent and an alleged associate, as well as 10 other terrorism suspects, in operations in Iraq over the last two days, military officials reported.

Acting on intelligence information, coalition forces in Qastin, north of Baghdad, targeted an alleged commander of Iranian special operations in Iraq who also is believed to be involved in facilitating training of Iraqi militants at camps operated by Iran’s Republican Guard Corps’ Quds Force.

Coalition forces approached the wanted man’s residence, where he identified himself to forces. He then led forces to an associate at a nearby residence. Both men were apprehended without incident.

Officials said Quds Force is believed to provide direct support to multiple extremist groups in Iraq, and is responsible for weapons being smuggled into Iraq from Iran.