Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained four suspected members of the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, including a brigade commander, Aug. 14 in the Baghdad area. The Shi'a extremist brigade commander directs more than 150 insurgents who conduct improvised explosive device and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in the area. Reports indicate the brigade commander and his team buy and sell weapons in Sadr City and transport them to Al-Hurriya.
Additionally, the commander allegedly directs the extra-judicial killings of innocent civilians and government employees who oppose their criminal activities. Further intelligence shows the group also sets up illegal checkpoints to stop and hunt down Sunni citizens.
The commander's rogue JAM cell developed an extensive and complex system to use cell phones and laptops to detonate IEDs in order to ambush and kill Coalition and Iraqi Forces and citizens.
On the way to detain the brigade commander, Iraqi and U.S. team members came under ineffective small arms fire. No U.S. or Iraqi members were harmed in the intelligence-driven operation. The men are currently being detained for questioning about their alleged actions to attack and kill Iraqi and Coalition Forces, and other various illegal activities.