Shafaq News-Washington/ Baghdad
The UnitedStates Department of State renewed its call for the dismantling of Iran-alignedarmed groups in Iraq, tying the issue directly to the future of the US-Iraqrelationship, as Washington placed its third $10 million reward offer on asenior commander within roughly two weeks.
A StateDepartment spokesperson, speaking on background, said that Washington had"spoken clearly to what is needed to dismantle the Iran-aligned militiasin Iraq," adding that the United States stands with Iraqis working towardsovereignty, security, and a prosperous future.
The latestreward offer, announced through the Rewards for Justice program run by theState Department's Diplomatic Security Service, targets Hashem Finyan Rahimal-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walae, leader of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. The program accused him of directing attacks on US diplomatic facilities andmilitary personnel in Iraq and Syria, and of involvement in the killing ofIraqi civilians. Washington designated the group a Foreign TerroristOrganization in September 2025.
Ten daysearlier, a $10 million reward was announced for Ahmad al-Hamidawi, leader ofKataib Hezbollah, over attacks on US diplomatic facilities in March 2026 and asustained campaign against American personnel in Iraq. A separate offerfollowed for Haydar al-Sa'adi, Secretary General of Harakat Ansar Allahal-Awfiya —the group held responsible for the January 28, 2024, drone strike onTower 22 in Jordan that killed three American service members.
All threemen operate within the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the umbrella coalition ofIran-aligned factions that has claimed over 750 strikes on US targets since theoutbreak of the 2026 US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Attacks attributed to itsaffiliated groups have struck the US Embassy in Baghdad, logistical supportcenter at Baghdad International Airport, Harir Base, and Erbil Airport in theKurdistan Region, and energy infrastructure across the country.
For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington, D.C.