Iran-backed insurgents captured in Iraq – U.S.

Reuters: The U.S. military in Iraq captured four suspected members of an Iranian-backed insurgent network on Monday, it said.

BAGHDAD, Dec 1 (Reuters) – The U.S. military in Iraq captured four suspected members of an Iranian-backed insurgent network on Monday, it said.

The four detained belong to an insurgent group called Katai'b Hezbollah, the U.S. military said in a statement.

"Katai'b Hezbollah is assessed to be a surrogate of Iran. Its members are believed to be responsible for recent attacks against Iraqi citizens and coalition forces," the U.S. military said.

U.S. troops have caught 33 Iranian-sponsored criminals in the last month, the military said. It was not clear whether Monday's detentions were included in that figure.

The United States accuses Iran of arming, funding and training militias that attack U.S. and Iraq security forces.

Iran denies the charge, and blames the U.S. military presence in Iraq for the years of bloodshed that followed the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Last month U.S. forces released an Iranian construction official seized in Baghdad on suspicion of belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and smuggling weapons to Iraqi militias.

An Iranian embassy official said arresting forces had confused a packet of salt in his luggage for cocaine. (Reporting by Mohammed Abbas; Editing by Michael Christie)