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The United States State Department has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the location or identification of the leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).
In a social media post on Thursday, US officials said the offer concerns Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, who heads the group Washington has designated as a terrorist organisation.
US authorities accused KSS of carrying out attacks that killed Iraqi civilians and targeted American diplomatic facilities, military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria.
The statement added that individuals providing useful information could qualify for relocation assistance as well as the financial reward.
Al-Saraji is also reported to hold a position within Iraq’s Coordination Framework, the ruling Shiite political alliance that commands a parliamentary majority.
Iran-aligned armed factions have repeatedly launched attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad, the diplomatic and logistics compound at Baghdad airport, and oil facilities operated by foreign companies.
Iraq, which had only recently seen relative stability after years of conflict, was drawn into wider regional tensions following the outbreak of war after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Earlier this month, Washington announced a similar reward for the leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, another powerful Iraqi faction accused of kidnapping US journalist Shelly Kittleson last month before later releasing her.
US media reports this week also said Washington had increased pressure on Baghdad to curb pro-Tehran groups by suspending cash shipments and freezing funds tied to security programmes in Iraq.
