ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The US on Monday announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Haydar Muzhir al-Saidi, better known as Haider al-Gharawi, the leader of Iraq’s Iran-backed Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA) militia group.

In a public notice, the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice program announced the bounty for information on the HAAA leader and secretary-general.

“HAAA members have attacked US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as US military bases and personnel in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria, killing US servicemembers,” the notice read.

Since the beginning of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran in February, pro-Iran groups in Iraq have repeatedly targeted US interests in the country, with the American embassy in Baghdad, consulate in Erbil, and numerous military installations having been targeted in drone and rocket strikes.

The HAAA is a pro-Iran armed group that has been institutionalized and officially incorporated into the Iraqi state security apparatus as part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

Apart from Gharawi, the US Rewards for Justice program also offered rewards for information on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, known as Abu Alaa al-Walaei, the secretary-general of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), another pro-Iran armed group, and Kataib Hezbollah leader Ahmed al-Hamidawi.

Hours following the announcement, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said in a statement  that the US’ financial reward offered for information about the HAAA head is “a declaration of defeat” and “reflects the crumbling materialistic mentality with which [the American] conflict is managed.”

"If you could confront our logic and our bullets on the battlefield, you would not have resorted to the tactics of cowards and fugitives,” the statement added.

Emerging in Maysan in 2013, Gharawi’s armed group has its stronghold in the province. However, the leader’s name has recently been associated with Diwaniya, due to his movement securing massive contract projects in the province.

The most notable project has so far been the "42 Neighborhoods Project" which is estimated to be worth around 320 billion dinars. The initiative has prompted widespread controversy from local officials due to delays in implementation, according to information obtained by The New Region.

Washington has expressed increasing caution about the presence and influence of militias in Iraq with strong affiliation to Iran.

The US, especially under the administration of President Donald Trump, has imposed severe sanctions on the militias and offered rewards for information on their leaders.

It has also exerted significant pressure on the Iraqi government to halt a draft proposal to restructure the PMF, an umbrella group of Iraqi militias that has been integrated into the state security apparatus.

Despite integration, many elements within the PMF continue to act with impunity and maintain strong ties to Iran.