Iraqi Citizens Commit to Stop Violence, Help Security Forces

Despite progress in his area, Lynch voiced concern about Iranian influence he sees in insurgent groups. U.S. soldiers are coming under attack from weapons originating from Iran, specifically rockets and components of explosively formed projectiles, a deadly type of roadside bomb, he said. Also, he said, U.S. officials believe some Shiia militants are being trained by Iranian elements and passing that training on to others inside Iraq. In addition, members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps are facilitating training and transfer of weapons and munitions in Iraq, he said.

Sunni militants also are getting Iranian technology, though it’s not clear if that’s through the black market or other means, Lynch said. Coalition forces are looking closely at weapons they recover, studying such things as tool marks and the source of explosives to determine their origin, he said. Forces in Multinational Division Center have captured more than 117 Iranian-made munitions since April, he said.

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