Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military said its troops captured two suspected Iranian-backed Shiite militiamen during a raid on an insurgent hideout in the city of Kut on Saturday.

    Acting on intelligence reports, the U.S. troops raided the residence of a suspected insurgent in Kut, some 180 km southeast of Baghdad, the U.S. military said in a statement.

    The suspect is believed to be "heavily involved in Special Groups criminal activities, including several attacks against Coalition forces," the statement said.

    The raid resulted in the capturing of the suspect and one of his associate, it said.

    In U.S. statements' terminology, the Special Groups are Shiite militia extremists funded, trained and armed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force operatives.

    U.S. and some Iraqi officials have accused Iran of arming, funding and training Shiite militias in Iraq, a charge denied by Iran.