The United States 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 Iran-backed Iraqi armed group, Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.
The US State Department made the announcement on Thursday, April 23, 2026, stating that al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, is wanted over his group’s alleged involvement in attacks targeting civilians, US diplomatic missions and military personnel in Iraq and Syria.
US authorities said individuals who provide credible information could be eligible for relocation alongside the financial reward.
Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada is one of several Iran-aligned militias accused of carrying out attacks on American interests in the region, including strikes on the US embassy in Baghdad, military bases and foreign-operated oil facilities.
Al-Saraji is also reported to be a member of Iraq’s Coordination Framework, a Shiite political alliance that holds a parliamentary majority, underscoring the complex ties between armed groups and political structures in the country.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent escalations involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have drawn Iraq further into regional instability.
Earlier in April, Washington announced a similar reward for a leader of another Iran-backed group, Kataeb Hezbollah, over the abduction of an American journalist who was later released.
The US has also increased pressure on the Iraqi government to rein in pro-Iran militias, with reports indicating measures such as suspending cash shipments and freezing some security-related funding.
Source: AFP
