SAIRI (Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq), an Iranian backed Iraqi Shia resistance organization is suspected to sending in armed groups to attack American troops. While the leadership of SAIRI has taken a somewhat friendly stance towards American troops in Iraq, some of the more radical SAIRI members appear to have gone rogue. While armed attacks by Sunnis is expected, the violence in the south appears to be largely from Iraqi Shia returning from exile in Iran. US military commanders say they will hunt down and kill these groups. Some armed SAIRI groups are fighting Sunni and Kurd militias along the Iranian border. 

Train service has resumed between Baghdad and the port of Umm  Qasr. The 582 kilometer route moves passengers and freight.