Topic - Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis

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FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 file photo, Iraqi militiamen march and chant anti U.S. slogans while carrying a picture of Soleimani, left and al-Muhandis, with Arabic that reads &quot;our martyr leaders,&quot; during the funeral of Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi militia leaders were expecting the usual bags of cash when the new head of Iran's expeditionary Quds Force , a successor Soleimani, paid his first visit. Instead, Esmail Ghani brought them silver rings, as tokens of gratitude. The episode, relayed by several officials, illustrates Iran's struggle to maintain influence abroad as it grapples with the economic fallout from crushing U.S. sanctions and the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)

Troubled Iran struggles to maintain sway over Iraq militias

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB - Associated Press

FILE - In this May 29, 2016, file photo, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis listens to a question during an interview in Fallujah, Iraq. Al-Muhandis, a veteran Iraqi militant who was closely allied with Iran, was killed overnight Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 in a U.S. strike that also felled Iran's top general. Al-Muhandis was the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File)

Iraqi militant killed by US worked with Iran for decades

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

In this Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, file photo, plumes of smoke rise after an explosion at a military base southwest of Baghdad, Iraq. A fact-finding committee appointed by the Iraqi government to investigate a massive munitions depot explosion near the capital Baghdad has concluded that the blast was the result of a drone strike. A copy of the report was obtained by The Associated Press Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Loay Hameed, File)

Clashing statements expose rift in Iraqi paramilitary force

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA - Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2016 file photo, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, center, attends a ceremony marking Police Day in Baghdad, Iraq. On Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, in his first extensive interview with a major western media outlet, al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the mostly Shiite forces known as the Popular Mobilization Units and a designated terrorist according to the United States department of treasury, described a “strong” and lasting role for the forces under his command in Iraq, many closely supported by Iran. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim, File)

Iraqi militia commander brushes off U.S. call to disband

By SUSANNAH GEORGE - Associated Press