Special Groups Commander Captured in Hillah

Coalition Forces, with assistance from the Iraqi Police, captured a suspected Special Groups commander and detained one other suspect early Monday during operations in the Hillah area, south of Baghdad:

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The targeted individual was reportedly in charge of Special Groups criminal elements in Wasit, Babil and Najaf provinces. He was allegedly involved in the coordination of Special Groups weapon shipments, and the planning of attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces. Reports also indicate he was an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and the other suspected criminal without incident.

The Iraqi Police facilitated the operation by directing local Iraqi citizens away from the target area during the assault. Additionally, they conducted a follow-on investigation of the target area after the mission concluded.

“Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces remain steadfast in our commitment to pursue criminal elements that are not honoring al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr’s ceasefire pledge,” said Lt. Michael Street, MNF-I spokesperson. “Those who commit indiscriminate acts of violence will not be tolerated.”