The US placed a $10 million bounty on the leader of an Iraqi militia linked to attacks on civilians and American targets

The United States Department of State has announced a reward of up to $10 million for credible information leading to the location or identification of key figures in Iraqi armed groups allied with Iran.

In a statement shared via social media on Thursday, US authorities said they were seeking details about Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, the leader of Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), which Washington has designated a terrorist organization.

According to US officials, the group has been involved in deadly operations targeting civilians and American interests in the region. They have “killed Iraqi civilians and attacked US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as attacked US military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria,” Washington said.

The announcement further suggested incentives for potential informants, stating that “you are entitled to relocation and rewards” for information about al-Saraji’s whereabouts.

Al-Saraji is also reportedly part of Iraq’s influential Coordination Framework, a Shia political bloc that currently holds parliamentary dominance.

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In recent years, Iran-backed militias have repeatedly launched attacks on U.S.-linked sites in Iraq, including the American embassy in Baghdad, facilities at the city’s international airport, and oil installations run by foreign companies.

The country, which has slowly stabilized after years of conflict, is again embroiled in regional tensions following the escalation triggered by the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran on February 28.

Earlier this month, US authorities also awarded a similar bounty to the leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, another powerful militia accused of kidnapping American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was held for a week before being released.

Meanwhile, reports from US media suggest that Washington has increased pressure on the Iraqi government, including suspending cash aid and stopping funding for certain security programs, in an effort to curb the activities of pro-Tehran armed groups.