<p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Hamas and Hezbollah are operating openly in southern Iraq, an Iraqi-American recently returned from the country said Thursday.</p>
<p>"I was surprised to see an office for Hamas in Nasariah, and also a Hezbollah office in Basra and Safwan," said Zainab Al-Suwaij, a Shiite Muslim native of Basra. "I was shocked to see their flag and their sign there. ... Do we ... who are emerging from the terror of Saddam after 35 years, need this in our country?"</p>