The US Treasury rained down sanctions on Faleh Fayyadh, the leader of the paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces saying he was part of “serious human rights abuses”. 

According to the US Treasury, Fayyadh was responsible for the violent attacks on protesters in October 2019. 

Steven Mnuchin said, “By directing and supervising the murder of peaceful Iraqi demonstrators, Iran-aligned militants and politicians such as Faleh Fayyadh have been waging a violent campaign against Iraqi democracy and civil society.”

The PMF, with Fayyadh holding its reins, is connected with Tehran and is often overlooked by the government, reported AFP. 

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, stated that Fayyadh was also a part of the “crisis cell” which is supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards and is tagged as a terrorist organisation by the US. 

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Pompeo said, “Iran-aligned (PMF) forces continue to wage a murderous campaign against political activists in Iraq who are calling for free and fair elections, respect for human rights, and transparent and accountable governance.” 

Even after being on of the most senior Iraqi officials, Fayyadh has made his way onto the US Sanctions blacklist. 

He was also a part of the recently organised public commemorations, one year after the death of Qasem Soleimani, reported AFP. 

The induced sanctions aim to freeze all assets of a person, including banks and companies having US branches, who is under US jurisdiction and stop them from doing business with them.