BAGHDAD (AFP) – US forces seized six militants in the Iraqi capital on Friday accused of smuggling sophisticated explosive devices into the war-torn country from Iran, the US military said.
"Coalition forces are targeting the terrorists, searching them out in the places they hide," said US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Garver in a statement.
"This morning’s operation is one more step in removing the terrorist networks from Iraq," he added.
The detainees are accused of being part of a secret network that smuggled weapons into Iraq, including bombs that fire a projectile of molten metal capable of slicing through American armoured vehicles.
US officials have repeatedly said that the devices, which the military calls "explosively formed penetrators" or EFPs, are supplied to insurgent groups by elements within Iranian armed forces.
The men are also accused of sending Iraqi fighters to Iran for training.
Two of those arrested on Friday tested positive for having recently handled explosives, and another two are believed to be "key leaders in the secret cell terrorist network," the US military said.
One of the alleged leaders is believed to be "responsible for the planning and coordinating of numerous murders, kidnappings, assassinations and attacks on Iraqi civilians and coalition forces."
One Iraqi civilian was slightly wounded during the raid, and received medical attention from a medic travelling with the soldiers.
