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Iraqi Defence Minister Juma Anad must be “held accountable” for accusing state-sanctioned paramilitaries of igniting violence in the country, politicians linked to the militias said on Monday.
Tensions between the government and the militias rose after the arrest last week of Qassem Musleh, the the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) head of operations in Anbar province who has been accused of terrorism, assassinations and attacks on US troops based in the country.
PMF militias backed by Iran responded with a show of force in and around Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone where government buildings and embassies are located, leading to a standoff with the army.