Iraq
Members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) carry their flags in western Iraq in January 2024. AFP file photo
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Wednesday designated four Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups as foreign terrorist organizations, saying the decision came as part of President Donald Trump’s order to impose “maximum pressure” on Iran.
"Today, the Department of State is designating Iran-aligned militia groups Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali as Foreign Terrorist Organizations," the State Department said in a statement.
It based the designation on Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum-2, “which mandates maximum pressure on Iran to cut off revenue to the regime and its terrorist proxies and partners,” according to the statement.
The designations came three weeks after the Iraqi government revoked a controversial bill to restructure the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi), following intense pressure from the US. Although the PMF is part of Iraq’s official security apparatus, many of its factions still operate independently, with impunity, and reportedly maintain strong ties to Iran.
US Congressman Joe Wilson, a staunch Iran critic, thanked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the designations.
"This action will empower our prosecutors to dry up funds for these terrorist groups," Wilson said.
Iran is believed to have many proxy groups in Iraq, which it has used in the past to target US interests in the region. Washington has taken several measures to ensure that Baghdad is free of Tehran’s influence, including the termination of a waiver which had allowed Iraq to buy Iranian electricity for years.
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