U.S. soldiers captured a suspected Shiite militia commander and one other suspect Monday in raids south of Baghdad, the military said.
The main suspect is believed to be in charge of "special groups criminal elements" in the Iraqi provinces of Wasit, Babil and Najaf, the U.S. military said in a statement.
"Special groups" is language the military uses to describe Shiite Muslim militias allegedly backed by Iran. The U.S. says the groups have broken ranks with Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. The radical cleric in August called a six-month cease-fire, which is due to expire later this month.
The U.S. has been careful not to accuse al-Sadr himself of any role in ongoing attacks, and instead blame rogue militiamen violating his cease-fire order. Nevertheless, U.S. and Iraqi officials have been cracking down on al-Sadr's followers, especially in Shiite holy cities south of Baghdad.
The militia leader arrested Monday was allegedly involved in coordinating weapons shipments and planning attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces, the U.S. military said. It did not characterize the second suspect. Both were detained in Hillah, about 95 kilometers (60 miles) south of Baghdad.
Iraqi police said the two men were bodyguards for a Sadrist lawmaker, Ahmed al-Masaoudi. He was not immediately available to comment on the arrests.
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