US Offers $10 Million Reward for Information on Iran-backed Group Leader in Iraq

The United States is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on a senior leader of a pro-Iranian organization in Iraq.

The U.S. State Department is offering the reward for information on the leader of the Tehran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), which Washington designates as a terrorist organization.

U.S. officials said they are seeking information on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, the leader of KSS. The group has "killed Iraqi citizens and attacked U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria," Washington said.

Iraq has been caught in the middle of regional tensions.

Earlier this month, a similar reward was offered for the leader of an Iraqi armed group that kidnapped an American journalist.

Washington is pressuring Baghdad to combat pro-Tehran groups.