Coalition kills 49 in hunt for Iran-tied insurgent leader

Iran Focus: London, Oct. 22 – Coalition forces killed at least 49 people on Sunday during operations in the Baghdad slum Sadr City aimed at capturing a senior official of a rogue armed Shiite militia backed by Iran, the U.S. military announced. Iran Focus

London, Oct. 22 – Coalition forces killed at least 49 people on Sunday during operations in the Baghdad slum Sadr City aimed at capturing a senior official of a rogue armed Shiite militia backed by Iran, the U.S. military announced.

The operation’s objective was an individual reported to be a “long time Special Groups member specialising in kidnapping operations”, the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) said in a statement.

“Intelligence indicates he is a well-known cell leader and has previously sought funding from Iran to carry out high profile kidnappings”, it said.

“Collation forces estimate that 49 criminals were killed in three separate engagements during this operation. Ground forces reported they were unaware of any innocent civilians being killed as a result of this operation”, the statement added.