Washington (CNN) The US announced sanctions Friday on the Iraqi leaders of three Iran-backed militias for killing dozens of innocent civilians who were protesting economic conditions and foreign interference in their country. The State Department's senior official on Middle East affairs condemned Iran's interference in Iraqi affairs as he announced the sanctions. Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker also decried what he described as Tehran's increasing aggression in response to the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign. An Iraqi source told CNN the sanctions were expected, as the US had been signaling that they were coming. He also noted that Iran-backed militias are now shelling Iraqi bases with American and anti-ISIS forces, saying it is "something of great concern."

Source: CNN December 06, 2019 20:03 UTC