US Reports Hezbollah Training Forces In Iraq

The Middle East Newsline confirms that Hezbollah has become a major trainer of Iranian-sponsored Shiite militias in Iraq. ¨

Iran has sponsored the so-called Hezbollah Brigades, or Katai’b Hezbollah, in Iraq to attack U.S. and Iraqi military targets. Hezbollah Brigades have been equipped with advanced weapons and trained in Iran and Lebanon. ¨

“One of these groups, Katai’b Hezbollah, an extremist group believed to have Iranian support and guidance, continues to attempt to threaten Iraqi sovereignty by conducting operations against Iraqi citizens and security forces in Iraq,” U.S. military spokesman Brig. Gen. David Perkins said. ¨

On Oct. 30, Iraqi and U.S. forces captured a suspected financier of the Hezbollah Brigades. The individual said another four Hezbollah-aligned operatives were also arrested in an operation in the Iraqi province of Maysan, which borders Iran. ¨

The Hezbollah Brigades have been equipped with explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, designed to pierce armored vehicles. They said Iran has also equipped and trained Hezbollah to use remote-controlled rocket-assisted mortars. ¨

“Utilizing Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and Hezbollah training, funding, and weapons such as the improvised rocket-assisted mortar or IRAM, Katai’b Hezbollah tries to intimidate the Iraqi population and conducts direct attacks against Iraqi security and coalition forces,” Brig. Gen. Perkins told a briefing on Oct. 29.

“Indirect fireattacks also illustrate the total disregard they have for the safety and well-being of Iraqi citizens.”
¨
Brig Gen. Perkins said Hezbollah Brigades were operating around Baghdad, particularly Sadr City. He said the Iraq Army captured 34 EFPs, 160 bricks of plastic explosives and 14 107 mm. rockets at a Hezbollah safe house.

“We have seen continuing activity by Katai’b Hezbollah,” Brig. Gen. Perkins said. ¨

David Bedein can be contacted at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com.