ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A US State Department spokesperson told The New Region on Wednesday that the offering of rewards of up to $10 million for information on Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS) chief Abu Ala al-Walai comes as part of efforts to "dismantle the Iran-aligned militias in Iraq and advance the US-Iraq relationship."

On April 24, the State Department's Rewards for Justice program issued a notice detailing the reward offer, citing KSS's involvement in attacking "US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as attacking US military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria."

Despite this, Walai has appeared in photos at meetings of the Shiite Coordination Framework as the ruling Iraqi body engaged to efforts to choose Iraq's next prime minister, eventually settling on businessman Ali al-Zaidi, who himself has been accused of laundering money on behalf of Iran-aligned factions.

"We have spoken clearly to what is needed to dismantle the Iran-aligned militias in Iraq and advance the US-Iraq relationship," the spokesperson told The New Region, adding that Washington remains committed to the Iraqi people’s aspirations for sovereignty and security.

The official noted that the US continues to work toward "building a prosperous future that delivers tangible benefits for Americans and Iraqis."

Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada 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).

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 group was designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department in September, alongside several others, accusing Iran of providing support that “enables these militias to plan, facilitate, or directly carry out attacks across Iraq.”

The Rewards for Justice program said people with information can contact US authorities through its Tor-based tip line or by text message on Signal. It added that sources may be eligible for relocation and a financial reward.

The State Department has previously offered lucrative rewards for information relating to pro-Iran factions during the conflict.

Bounties of up to $10 million were earlier offered for information regarding Kataib Hezbollah Secretary-General Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, something the group dismissed as a "malicious" act that only strengthens their resolve.