Basra 'assassination squad' leader captured

A Shiite militia leader believed to command an assassination squad in Basra has been captured during a raid in Baghdad.

A US military statement today said the man is also responsible for counterfeiting documents and is also an arms dealer with connections to Iran.

It said he also arranges transportation of criminals into Iran for training, and then back into Iraq.

The military said the man and an aide were captured last night by members of Iranian-backed “special groups.” The Americans use the term to describe Shiite fighters defying a cease-fire order from anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Iran denies arming the extremists.