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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080507-05
May 7, 2008

Iraqi Special Operations Forces detain seven Special Groups criminals in Sadr City

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained seven suspected Special Groups criminals in and around the Sadr City area of Baghdad, May 6.

The Special Groups network in the area is reportedly responsible for coordinating the supply of explosively formed penetrators into Baghdad and attacking Coalition and Iraqi Security force vehicles with EFPs and small arms fire. Special Groups are also linked to firing rockets into the International Zone.

ISOF conducted operations in the area to reduce Special Groups criminal activity and bring improved security to the residents of Sadr City.

The network reportedly uses mosques in Sadr City as cover for criminal activity.

Some of the reported uses of mosques by these Special Groups criminals include; as headquarters for operations, as holding facilities for their kidnapping victims, as interrogation places for captured Sons of Iraq, and as launching points for their attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.

These operations demonstrate the capability and determination of the Government of Iraq and ISOF to remove criminal elements from Sadr City and other areas of Baghdad.

“Iraqi Security and Coalition force efforts to stop the violence these criminals inflict on Iraqi citizens continue in earnest,” said Cmdr. Ed Buclatin, MNF-I spokesman.

“We are working with the elected government to help provide a more secure future for the Iraqi people.”

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