A detainee held in Coalition custody since June 28 and alleged to be a key leader of a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia element, known as a Special Group, is identified as Sheikh Ahmed Mohammad Hassan Sbahi Al Khafaji. Al Khafaji was detained during an operation in Nasiriyah.During the operation, Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with Coalition Forces present as advisors, detained Al Khafaji without incident and also detained five other suspicious individuals during the operation.
Al Khafaji is allegedly responsible for direct attacks on Coalition Forces, rocket attacks on Coalition bases and has been implicated in the kidnappings and murders of Iraqi citizens. It is also believed he provides financial support to weapons trafficking networks which supply Iranian affiliated Special Groups in the Baghdad area. The Special Groups received training, arms and funding from IranÂ’s Quds Force.