Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. soldiers captured eight members of a Shiite militia group believed to be linked to Iran in two operations in Baghdad on Sunday morning, the U.S. military said.

    A military statement said the troops who acted on intelligence tips had arrested three suspects in the mainly Sunni district of Adhamiya, while five others were apprehended in the Shiite-dominated district of Baghdad al-Jadida or New Baghdad.

    The suspects belong to Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq militant group, one of what the American statements named "Special Groups," referring to the Shiite extremists funded, trained and armed by the Quds Force,an elite unit of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

    The U.S. military accused the group of using explosively-formed penetrator, or EFP, and roadside bombs, as well as kidnappings and sectarian killings.

    EFP, also known as explosively-formed projectile, is a shaped charge explosive designed to penetrate armor effectively. They were first developed during World War II.

    U.S. and Iraqi officials frequently accuse Iran of fomenting violence in Iraq by providing support for Shiite militias, a charge Iran dines.