US Offers $10m For Iran-backed Iraqi Militia Leader

The United States State Department has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, the leader of the Tehran-backed Iraqi armed group, Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).

In a social media post, US officials said they were seeking information on al-Saraji, who is also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, over his alleged involvement in activities linked to terrorism.

Washington described KSS as a designated terrorist organisation, accusing the group of carrying out attacks against civilians and American interests in the Middle East.

According to the statement, the group has “killed Iraqi civilians and attacked U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as attacking U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria.”

The State Department added that individuals who provide credible information on al-Saraji’s whereabouts could be eligible for relocation and a financial reward.

Al-Saraji is also said to be a member of Iraq’s Coordination Framework, the ruling Shiite political alliance that holds a parliamentary majority in the country.

Iran-backed armed groups have repeatedly targeted US interests in Iraq, including the American embassy in Baghdad, logistics facilities at the city’s airport, and oil installations operated by foreign companies.

The renewed tension comes as Iraq faces growing instability following its entanglement in the wider Middle East conflict, which escalated after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

Earlier in April, Washington similarly announced a reward for information on the leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, another influential Iraqi armed group accused of kidnapping US journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was later released after being held for a week.

The United States has also reportedly intensified pressure on the Iraqi government to rein in pro-Tehran militias, including suspending cash shipments and freezing funding for certain security programmes, according to recent US media reports.