Iran-backed Shia militia says it will fight US Marines deployed to Iraq

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A file photo of Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia fighters from the south of Iraq

An Iranian-backed militia said on Monday it said it would treat US Marines deployed in Iraq to fight the Islamic State group as forces of occupation and "deal" with the foreign troops.

Washington said on Sunday that a detachment of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit was in Iraq, bolstering efforts by the United States and a coalition of allies against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

"If the US administration doesn't withdraw its forces immediately, we will deal with them as forces of occupation," the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia said on its TV channel, al-Ahd.

"The forces of occupation are making a new suspicious attempt to restore their presence in the country under the pretext of fighting their own creation, Daesh," the Shia Muslim militia added, referring to an acronym for Isil.