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Iraqi security forces have raided the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia near Baghdad,
seizing rockets and detaining more than a dozen pro-Iran fighters.
The militia group targeted was Kataib Hezbollah, also identified as Brigade 45 of the Hashed al-Shaabi military force, Iraqi government officials said on June 26. The country's elite Counterterrorism Service (CTS) carried out raid, they said.
"Based on intelligence information, a Counterterrorism Service unit raided a base used by Brigade 45, seizing three rocket launchers and arresting 13 fighters," one of the officials said, according to AFP.
Iraq's new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, has indicated that
he will be tough on militia groups that target U.S. installations. The raid, which the reports said took place early on June 25, was the first carried out by Iraqi military forces against a group accused of targeting U.S. facilities.
Comment: RT
adds the following: "Their fate remains unclear, however, as government officials insist they are in the custody of security services, while paramilitary sources claim all those detained have since been handed over to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)." So this may be an attempt by Kadhimi to balance relations with the U.S.
and Iran, basically putting on a PR show for the Americans while maintaining relations with both nations.
Comment: RT adds the following: "Their fate remains unclear, however, as government officials insist they are in the custody of security services, while paramilitary sources claim all those detained have since been handed over to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)." So this may be an attempt by Kadhimi to balance relations with the U.S. and Iran, basically putting on a PR show for the Americans while maintaining relations with both nations.