4 Threat Matrix: Special Groups active in Iraqi south

Written by Bill Roggio on September 8, 2010 11:42 AM to 4 Threat Matrix

Available online at: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2010/09/special_groups_active_in_iraqi.php

The Iranian-backed Shia terror groups collectively known as the Special Groups (a term coined by US forces in 2007) have stepped up attacks in the Iraqi south, according to reports from the region. An official told Voices of Iraq that the Hezbollah Brigades are behind the recent strikes in Thi Qhar province, which is just north of the Iraqi province of Basrah.

There is an increase in the armed activities of the Hezbollah Battalions [note, this is the Hezbollah Brigades] in Thi-Qhar, a security source from the province said on Wednesday.

"The Hezbollah Battalions are planting more roadside bombs and launching more rockets," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Recently, there has been an increase in armed attacks in Thi-Qhar. Seven attacks have been so far reported during the holy month of Ramadan against U.S. forces and the Provincial Reconstruction Team (P.R.T) in the province.

This report tracks with a statement from a US Forces - Iraq spokesman that was given on Sept. 6:

The U.S. army on Monday announced that there is an increase in the attacks that targeted its convoys during Ramadan, according to a spokesperson of the U.S. army.

"There is an increase in the attacks on the U.S. army convoys during Ramadan compared to the previous months," Major Alan Brown told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

There has also been an uptick in reports of attacks in Basrah. On Sunday, five "gunmen" were killed in Basrah after attacking a US convoy.

The US military has warned that attacks from Iranian-backed Shia terror groups would increase. In July, General Odierno, then the commander of US Forces Iraq, noted that the Hezbollah Brigades continues to be a threat to US forces and the Iraqi government, as Iran continues to train, arm, and fund its cadres. Later that month, Odierno noted that Iran continues to support the Hezbollah Brigades as well as the League of the Righteous (or Asaib al Haq), the Mahdi Army spin-off Promised Day Brigade. Also, in mid-August, an Iraqi intelligence official stated that Abu Dura, the "Shiite Zarqawi," has returned to Baghdad to step up attacks.