By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) have captured three suspected al-Qaida militants and a leader of the Iranian-backed Shiite militia during operations in Baghdad and western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
The ISOF captured an al-Qaida leader suspected of conducting bomb attacks against U.S. and Iraqi security forces in an operation in the town of Garma near the city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad, a military statement said.
The suspect is also believed to be a terrorist specializing in assassinations and abduction of individuals for ransom to raise funds for terrorist activities, the statement said.
In a separate operation in the capital, the ISOF captured two al-Qaida militants, one of them a local al-Qaida deputy leader. The two were accused of conducting roadside bomb attacks against U.S. forces, the statement added.
Also in Baghdad, the ISOF captured a mid-level leader of “Special Groups,” who is believed to be in charge of about 250 militiamen responsible for conducting bomb and mortar attacks against U.S. and Iraqi forces, it said.
The U.S. military identifies the Special Groups as extremist Shiite militias funded, trained and armed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force operatives. Tehran denies the accusations.