The United States has announced a major reward for information on an Iraqi militia leader.
The United States has placed a $10 million bounty on the leader of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, according to a notice from the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program.
US officials identified the wanted figure as Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji.
The notice alleges that members of the militia killed Iraqi civilians and carried out attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq.
It also accuses the group of launching attacks against US military bases and personnel in both Iraq and Syria.
Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada is one of several Iran-backed Shiite armed groups operating in Iraq. Many of these factions are linked to the country’s Popular Mobilization Forces.
The Popular Mobilization Forces were formally created in 2014 after the fall of Mosul, when volunteer units were mobilized to fight the so-called Islamic State group.
The US reward offer comes at a time of heightened regional tension involving Iran-aligned groups and American forces across the Middle East.
The latest move signals continued US pressure on militia networks operating in Iraq and the wider region.