The United States has announced a fresh $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader, intensifying its campaign against Tehran-aligned armed groups operating in the Middle East.
Through its U.S. Department of State Rewards for Justice programme, Washington said it is seeking details on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, the head of Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.
U.S. officials accuse the group of carrying out deadly attacks on Iraqi civilians, targeting American diplomatic missions, and launching strikes against U.S. military personnel in both Iraq and Syria.
Authorities said individuals who provide credible information on al-Saraji’s whereabouts may qualify not only for the financial reward but also for relocation assistance.
The move comes weeks after a similar $10 million bounty was placed on Ahmad Al Hamidawi, leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, another Iran-aligned militia accused of abducting American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad earlier this year.
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The back-to-back actions signal a broader U.S. strategy to dismantle networks of Iran-backed militias by targeting their leadership. These groups have been linked to a wave of cross-border attacks, including strikes on U.S. forces and allies in the region.
Regional tensions have also escalated, with Gulf nations raising concerns over drone attacks allegedly launched from Iraqi territory. Countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan have condemned the growing threat.
In parallel, Washington has increased pressure on Baghdad, suspending aspects of security cooperation and halting dollar transfers tied to Iraq’s oil revenues in a bid to push the government to curb militia activities.
The latest bounty underscores the deepening standoff between the United States and Iran’s network of allied armed groups across the Middle East.
