US sanctions on PMU chairman violation of Iraq’s sovereignty: Iraq's Islamic Supreme Council

A leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) has denounced recent US sanctions against the chairman of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), describing the move as a violation of the Iraqi sovereignty and intervention in its domestic affairs.

“I was not surprised by the unjust decision taken by the US Treasury to put Falih al-Fayyadh, head of the PMU, on its sanctions list. The US continues to encroach upon the sovereignty of Iraq, meddles in its internal affairs and attempts to impose itself as the guarantor of the country,” Sheikh Jalal al-Din Ali al-Sagheer said on Sunday.

He added, “This measure basically targets Hashd al-Sha’abi and the role it plays in preserving Iraq’s territories, honor and sanctities. It was the PMU that greatly contributed to the complete defeat of the American doll represented by Daesh criminals. It was US President [Donald] Trump who himself admitted that the US founded and financed them.”

Sagheer then pointed to the Iraqi parliament’s resolution calling on the Baghdad government to expel foreign troops from the country.

Iraq, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Ansarullah censure US sanctions on PMU chairman

Iraq along with Lebanon

The ISCI leader also called on the incoming administration of US President-elect Joe Biden to change Washington’s policies towards Iraq, and repeal all coercive measures taken by his predecessor.

The US Treasury Department said in a statement on Friday it had blacklisted 64-year-old Fayyadh, accusing him of being responsible for a crackdown by security forces on anti-government demonstrations that gripped the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and later swept through several other cities in late 2019.

The rallies erupted as a result of public anger at corruption, mass unemployment and failing public services. Reports say some 550 people were killed and 30,000 injured as the anti-government rallies took a violent turn.

The protests caused then Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s resignation.

‘US trying to export its own internal crises’

Separately, Iraqi legislator Faleh al-Khazali denounced US sanctions against Fayyadh, stating that Washington is trying to export its internal crises through such measures.

“The United States of America is trying to export its internal crises through such steps. In the face of US sanctions, the expulsion of foreign troops, including US troops, becomes a national and conscientious duty,” Khazali noted.

US puts chairman of Iraqi anti-terror Hashd al-Sha’abi forces on sanctions list

The US Treasury imposes sanctions on former Iraqi national security adviser and chairman of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), Falih al-Fayyadh.

 Secretary General of the Islamic Iraq Movement, Shibl al-Zaidi, also censured the US bans, stating that the PMU chairman was hit with sanctions because he seriously challenged US occupation of the country.

“We view sanctions against Fayyadh as a badge of honor for him. It shows that the path he has followed is perfectly correct,” Zaidi said.

‘US is seeking revenge for Daesh defeat by sanctioning PMU head’

Additionally, the head of the Iraqi Sunni Scholars Association, Sheikh Khalid al-Mulla, said the recent US sanctions against the chairman of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces suggest Washington’s revenge for the defeat of Daesh, which was created by US intelligence agencies.

Hashd al-Sh’abai fighters have played a major role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas to the south, northeast and north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, ever since the terrorists launched an offensive in the country in June 2014.

Back in November 2016, the Iraqi parliament approved a law giving full legal status to the fighters. It recognized the PMU as part of the national armed forces, placed the forces under the command of the prime minister, and granted them the right to receive salaries and pensions like the regular army and police forces.

Iraqi prime minister hails Hashd al-Sha’abi counter-terrorism efforts

Iraqi prime minister hails Popular Mobilization Units for their key role in defeating the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the Arab country.

On March 27 last year, the New York Times reported that the Pentagon had ordered a secret directive, which called on US military commanders to prepare a campaign against Kata'ib Hezbollah, which is part of Hashd al-Sha’abi.

But the United States’ top commander in Iraq at the time, Lieutenant General Robert P. White, warned that such a campaign could be bloody and counterproductive.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk