The United States has imposed sanctions on three Iranian-linked Iraqi militia leaders for allegedly assisting the violent repression on protests that have swept the country.
The announcement came amid renewed violence in Baghdad, which claimed the lives of at least 15 people.
"The Iraqi people want their country back. They are calling for genuine reform and accountability and for trustworthy leaders who will put Iraq's national interests first," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on December 6.
The United States sanctioned three Iraqis -- Qais al-Khazali, Laith al-Khazali, and Hussein Falil Aziz al-Lami -- who are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashed al-Shaabi, a Shi'ite militia movement close to Iran.
Iraqis have been taking to the streets of Baghdad and the country’s Shi'ite-majority south since early October to demand more jobs, an end to endemic corruption, and improved public services.
Some 430 people have been killed across Iraq in the crackdown on protests, which eventually led to the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, a close ally of Iran.
The three militia leaders were designated under a U.S. law that will ban them from travel to the United States and seize any assets they have in the country.
Washington also placed sanctions on an Iraqi politician, Khamis Farhan al-Khanjar al-Issawi, on bribery charges.
Meanwhile, Iraqi security and medical officials say unknown assailants shot at protesters in Baghdad’s Khilani Square late on December 6, killing 12 people and wounding 30.
The attacks came one day after several suspicious stabbing incidents which left at least 13 wounded in the Iraqi capital's Tahrir Square, the focal point of Iraq’s leaderless protest movement.
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Exclusive: The TikTok Trail Of The U.S. Soldier Arrested In Russia Left By His Russian 'Wife'
2Kazakh Billionaire Buys English Soccer Club
32 U.S. Citizens, Including Soldier, Join List Of Americans Being Held In Russia
4Russia Claims Control Over Eastern Ukrainian Town, As Rocket Strikes Kill 3
5Kazakh Ex-Minister Insists In Court He Had No Intention To Kill Wife
6North Macedonia Ruling Party Concedes As Opposition Wins Dual Votes
7Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras Are Spreading Across Eastern Europe, Despite Security Concerns
8All 5 Central Asian Leaders To Attend Victory Day Parade In Moscow
9North Macedonia's New President Prefers The Country's Old Name
10What Is Behind Serbia And China's 'Ironclad Friendship'?
Subscribe