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Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite group, has established a significant presence in Iraq but is not taking part in attacks on U.S. forces inside the country, according to current and former U.S. officials and Arabs familiar with the organization. Iran is believed to be restraining Hezbollah from attacking U.S. troops, and that is prompting a debate within the Bush administration about Iran’s objectives.
Hezbollah’s presence has become a source of concern as it is recognized by counterterrorist experts to have some of the most dangerous operatives in the world. Both American and Israeli intelligence have found evidence that Hezbollah operatives have established themselves in Iraq, according to current and former U.S. officials. Separately, Arabs in Lebanon and elsewhere who are familiar with the organization say Hezbollah has sent what they describe as a security team of up to 90 members to Iraq. The organization has steered clear of attacks on Americans, the U.S. officials and Arabs familiar with Hezbollah agree. U.S. intelligence officials said Hezbollah operatives were believed to have arrived in Iraq soon after the end of major combat operations last spring. The CIA has not seen a major influx of Hezbollah operatives since that time, officials added. "Hezbollah has moved to establish a presence inside Iraq, but it is not clear from the intelligence reports what their intent is," a U.S. official said.
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