Iraq Says It Has Proof Of Iranian Meddling
Tehran Funneling Weapons, Officials Say
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BAGHDAD, May 4 -- The Iraqi government said Sunday that it has "concrete evidence" Iran is fomenting violence in Iraq and that a high-level panel had been formed to document the proof.
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Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh called reporters late Sunday night to clarify remarks he made at a news conference earlier in the day, when he appeared to say that there was no hard evidence that Iran was allowing weapons to come into Iraq. Dabbagh said his comments had been misinterpreted.
"There is an interference and evidence that they have interfered in Iraqi affairs," Dabbagh said in an interview arranged by a U.S. official. When asked how he would characterize the proof that Iranian weapons are flowing into Iraq, he said: "It is a concrete evidence."
Coalition forces capture two suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups criminals (Baghdad)
Sunday, 04 May 2008 | |
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ Press Release A080504a Coalition forces capture two suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups criminals BAGHDAD Coalition forces captured two suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups criminals early this morning in the Rashid district in Baghdad. Intelligence information led Coalition forces to the location of a suspected Special Groups leader wanted for facilitating the import of Iranian-made munitions into Iraq. He is also suspected of providing information to Special Groups leadership, which led to rocket attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. In addition, he is suspected of providing safe-haven to criminals wanted by Coalition and Iraqi forces. Coalition forces entered the targeted individuals location where he surrendered without incident. Afterward, Coalition forces conducted a follow-on mission to a separate location, also in the Rashid district, to capture another suspected criminal. There, they detained a second individual who was identified as a Special Groups criminal. Coalition forces are working with the Iraqi Security Forces to remove the Special Groups thugs who foment violence and instability on the streets of Baghdad, said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. |