Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070815-08
August 15, 2007

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain Shi’a extremist leader
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, conducted a raid in eastern Najaf Aug. 14 and detained a former battalion commander of the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia who is currently suspected of leading an independent Shi’a extremist group.
 
The former commander’s Jaysh al-Mahdi cell is suspected of conducting aggressive insurgent attacks using explosively formed penetrators throughout southern Iraq during late 2005 and early 2006.   After leaving Jaysh al-Mahdi, he allegedly formed an independent cell of more than 150 Shi’a extremists that is believed to have conducted attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces.  His cell is also believed to have taken part in the August 2006 battle in Diwaniyah, fighting against Coalition Forces.  

No Iraqi or Coalition members were harmed during operation.      

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