U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Two Iranian-Linked Militia Leaders In Iraq

Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) carry their weapons as they shout slogans at their headquarters in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq July 2, 2019. Reuters

The National: US imposes sanctions on Iranian-linked militia leaders in Iraq

Vice President Mike Pence says Washington 'will not stand idly by while Iranian-backed militias spread terror'

The United States imposed sanctions on two leaders of Iran-backed militias in Iraq on Thursday, labelling them "perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption," a move that stepped up its efforts against Iranian proxies in the country.

Speaking at a high-level US State Department conference on religious freedom, Vice President Mike Pence announced the new restrictions on the two figures from the powerful Popular Mobilisation Forces, an umbrella of Iraqi Shiite militias, and said that Washington would "not stand idly by" while they "spread terror".

The US Treasury Department announced the sanctions under the Magnitsky Act that targets human rights violators. The figures in question are two militia figures, Rayan Al Kildani and Waad Qado, as well as two former Iraqi governors, Nawfal Hammadi Al Sultan and Ahmed Al Jubouri.

Read more ....

Update: Pence says US sanctioning 2 Iraqi militia chiefs over Iran ties (Times of Israel/AFP)

WNU Editor: These militia leaders are probably going to treat these sanctions as a badge of honour.