US Blacklists Iraqi Militia Leader in Connection with Deadly Anti-Govt Protests

Iraqi security forces stand in front of demonstrators during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq in October 2019. (Reuters)
Iraqi security forces stand in front of demonstrators during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq in October 2019. (Reuters)
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US Blacklists Iraqi Militia Leader in Connection with Deadly Anti-Govt Protests

Iraqi security forces stand in front of demonstrators during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq in October 2019. (Reuters)
Iraqi security forces stand in front of demonstrators during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq in October 2019. (Reuters)

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on an Iraqi militia leader and former national security adviser, connecting him to human rights abuses during the 2019 anti-government demonstrations in which hundreds of protesters were killed.

The US Treasury Department said in a statement it was blacklisting Falih al-Fayyadh, chairman of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC).

The Treasury accused him of being part of a crisis cell formed in late 2019 to suppress protests with the support of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, which is blacklisted by the United States.

Washington said al-Fayyadh was the head of the PMC when forces under its command fired live ammunition at peaceful protesters in 2019, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Iraq’s biggest anti-government protests in decades broke out in October 2019 and continued for several months, with hundreds of thousands of Iraqis demanding jobs, services and the removal of the ruling elite, which they said was corrupt and beholden to Iran.

Nearly 500 people were killed. The protests caused the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

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

“The United States will continue to hold accountable human rights abusers in Iraq who aim to deny the Iraqi people in their efforts to peacefully protest, seek justice, and root out corruption in their country.”



Netanyahu Appoints Adviser with Trump Ties to Lead Ceasefire Talks 

Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)
Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)
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Netanyahu Appoints Adviser with Trump Ties to Lead Ceasefire Talks 

Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)
Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)

An Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a close confidant to lead negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire with Hamas.

The official says that Cabinet Minister Ron Dermer will head the Israeli team. Previous talks have been led by the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies.

Talks have not yet started on the second stage, which is meant to include an end to the war, return of all hostages and Israeli pullout from Gaza.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the appointment has not been officially announced.

The US-born Dermer is widely seen as Netanyahu’s closest adviser. He previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the US and is a former Republican activist with strong ties to the Trump White House.

Dermer currently serves as Israel’s strategic affairs minister, where he has been a key player in relations with the US and other countries.