Washington, DC – In a new escalation that deepens the ongoing conflict in Iraq, the US State Department announced a substantial reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest or location of Hashim Fenian Rahimi al-Saraji, also known as Abu Ala al-Walai.
Al-Saraji serves as the Secretary-General of the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada militia, an armed group that receives direct Iranian support and is designated by Washington as a global terrorist organization.
According to a statement released by the US State Department on its official platforms, Washington is not only offering a financial reward but also the possibility of permanent residency in the United States for anyone who provides accurate information about al-Sarraj. This pursuit comes amid serious accusations against the brigades of involvement in “the killing of Iraqi civilians and attacks on diplomatic facilities and US military bases in both Iraq and Syria.”
It should be noted that al-Sarraj is not merely a field commander. He is a leader of the “Coordination Framework” alliance, which includes parties close to Tehran and forms the largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament. Washington accuses him of leading attacks targeting the US embassy in Baghdad, logistical facilities at the airport, and oil fields operated by foreign companies. This situation places the Iraqi state in a constant predicament between its international obligations and the influence of these factions.
This announcement comes at a time when Iraq is still reeling from the repercussions of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28 and lasted for more than 40 days.
During that period, Iraqi territory became an arena for settling scores. Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases were targeted by airstrikes attributed to Washington and Tel Aviv. The factions responded by targeting US interests with missile and drone strikes.
In parallel with the security crackdown, Washington is intensifying its pressure on the Baghdad government to curb the influence of pro-Tehran factions. It is also employing sensitive economic measures, including suspending foreign currency shipments and freezing funding for vital security programs. Observers believe that offering a reward for information leading to the capture of Fayez al-Sarraj marks the beginning of a new phase of financial and security pressure on Tehran’s proxies in Iraq. This is intended to compel local authorities to adopt a more decisive stance against armed groups that threaten regional stability.
