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US sanctions Iraq's PMU chair Falih al-Fayadh

Fayadh chaired Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units as the forces killed hundreds of unarmed pro-democracy protesters.
Falih al-Fayadh, Iraq's interior minister candidate arrives at parliament headquarters in the capital Baghdad on October 24, 2018, prior to a vote on the new proposed cabinet. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)        (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions today against Falih al-Fayadh, the chair of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (known variously as Hashd al-Shaabi, PMU and PMC), for his alleged role in violent repression of anti-corruption protests in 2019.

“During protests beginning in October 2019, Iran-aligned PMC forces attacked Iraqi civilians protesting against corruption, unemployment, economic stagnation, poor public services and Iranian interference in Iraq’s domestic affairs,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press release.

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