While the reports of fighting against the Iranian-backed Special Groups terror network have dried up, the intensity of the fighting hasn’t. In January, Coalition and Iraqi forces encountered more of the deadly explosively-formed projectiles than at any time over the past year, Multinational Forces Iraq reported. The majority of the incidents occurred outside of Sadr City, a support base of Iranian-backed Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr and his Mahdi Army.

Extremists have been responsible for a spike in the number of roadside bombs placed over the past month, especially explosively formed penetrators. There were 12 EFP attacks against Coalition Forces in January – the highest monthly total in more than a year. Through a five-day span, U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces have found and disabled two IEDs, including an EFP.

MND-B Soldiers also apprehended a suspected IED emplacer during a raid Feb. 1 in the Sha’ab neighborhood. The captured individual was reportedly a lieutenant in one of the special groups operating in the area.

MND-B Engineers were engaged by small arms fire on multiple occasions Feb.1 while conducting a roadside-clearance mission in the same Sha’ab neighborhood. The engineers were unable to positively identify the shooter and did not fire back in order to safeguard against injury to civilians or damage to property.

Over the past six months, Multinational Forces Iraq has sent a series of messages, via press release, encouraging Sadr to extend the September 2007 ceasefire and keep his Mahdi Army on the sidelines. After every kill or capture of a Special Groups operative, the press release would explicitly link the terrorist with Sadr by asking Sadr to keep his Mahdi Army in check.

Sadr’s ceasefire is due to end on February 8, and several leaders of the Mahdi Army are calling for the resumption of combat. The latest Multinational Forces Iraq press release is a warning to Sadr and his Mahdi Army to extend the ceasefire or prepare to face reprisals. The separation from the Special Groups that has been afforded to Sadr and the Mahdi can be lifted as needed.