US blacklisting of militia leader says “unacceptable”, Iraq

Iraq cries foul on Saturday and said it is “unacceptable” for US decision to blacklist the leader of a state umbrella group for mainly Iran-backed Shia militia, Reuters reports.

“We confirm that the decision was an unacceptable surprise,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that “it will carefully follow up with the current and the new administration in Washington on all decisions issued by the US Treasury Department against Iraqis.”

Iraq is a close military ally of both the United States and Iran, which have battled for influence there since a US-led invasion in 2003 toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

Source Link : https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210110-iraq-calls-us-blacklisting-of-militia-leader-unacceptable/