Iraqi group’s backers protest sanctions

Pompeo warns against attacks on U.S. interests

BAGHDAD — Hundreds of demonstrators supporting a powerful Iran-backed militia group in Iraq poured into a central Baghdad plaza Saturday, some burning American flags to protest recent U.S. sanctions against key leaders.

The protesters burned American and Israeli flags as well as cardboard cutouts of President Donald Trump in Firdous Square, a central plaza that is close to where anti-government demonstrators have been camped out since Oct. 1.

On Friday, Washington blamed “Iran’s proxies” for carrying out a recent space of rocket attacks against

Iraqi military bases co-located with U.S. soldiers and warned it would take action against future attacks against American interests in Iraq.

An emblem of the U.S. Department of Treasury was placed on the ground so protesters could walk over it, a symbolic rejection of a recent decision by the U.S. to sanction leaders of Asaib al-Haq, a powerful Iran-backed militia group in Iraq accused of being behind deadly sniping attacks on anti-government protesters earlier in October.

On Dec. 6, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned leader Qais al-Khazali, his brother Laith al-Khazali, a commander in the group, and Husain Falih Aziz al-Lami, who allegedly commanded the unit of snipers.

“Today’s demonstration is clear in its aim and message: It is to reject foreign intervention in Iraq’s internal decisions,” said Naim al-Aboudi, a lawmaker. “In addition to that, it is to reject the decision of the United States of America regarding popular leaders and on top of them is sheikh Qais al-Khazali. Therefore, all these people are here to rise up and condemn these decisions.”

Asaib al-Haq-affiliated lawmakers also hold at least 13 seats in Iraq’s Parliament.

In a statement Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Washington would take “decisive” action in future attacks on American interests in the country.

On Dec. 9, four Katyusha rockets hit a military base near Baghdad International Airport, wounding at least six Iraqi soldiers, Iraqi security officials said. Six days earlier, five rockets landed inside the Ain alAsad airbase, a sprawling complex in the western Anbar desert that hosts U.S. forces.

Nasser Nasser The Associated Press Protesters chant anti-U.S. slogans and carry posters with pictures of leader Qais al-Khazali during a rally for the Shiite group Asaib al-Haq on Saturday in Baghdad. They were protesting recent sanctions against leaders of Asaib al-Haq and other groups.