Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

US Captures Suspected Iraqi Shiite Militia Leader | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page

BAGHDAD, (AP) – The U.S. military says it has captured a suspected Shiite militia leader south of Baghdad.

A military statement says the suspect and five others were detained Tuesday in Kut, about 100 miles southeast of the Iraqi capital.

The U.S. military refers to such fighters as members of Iranian-backed “special groups” who are defying a cease-fire order by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Many of them are believed to have fled recent fighting in Baghdad’s Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City.

The statement says U.S. troops raided a home in Kut and captured the top suspect, who has allegedly been involved in the murder of Iraqis and U.S. soldiers. He surrendered without incident.