THE United States has issued a new raft of sanctions against Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, Washington has confirmed.
The US State Department’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation stated on Monday that it was placing restrictions on Asa’ib Ahl al Haq and Kata’ib Hezbollah — part of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).
The militia have been conducting joint operations against Isis and other Islamist groups alongside the Iraq army. Last month four PMF soldiers were killed in targeted air strikes by the US in Syria and Iraq.
Trump threatens war and punitive tariffs to recapture Iranian resources – just as in 1953, when the CIA overthrew Mossadegh and US corporations immediately seized 40% of the oil, says SEVIM DAGDELEN
While Trump praises the ‘successful’ attack on Iranian nuclear sites, the question arises as to the real motives behind this escalation. MARC VANDEPITTE explores the issues



