US designates Iran-backed militia leader in Iraq as global terrorist

The United States has designated Kataib Hezbollah Secretary-General Ahmad Al-Hamidawi as a global terrorist, US Counterterrorism Coordinator Ambassador Nathan Sales told reporters on Wednesday.

"Today, Secretary [of State Mike] Pompeo has taken decisive action against Iran-backed militias in Iraq by designating Ahmad Al-Hamidawi as a specially designated global terrorist or SDGT," Sales said.

"Al-Hamidawi is the Secretary-General of Kataib Hezbollah or KH, a group that is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks against US and Coalition forces in Iraq.