Iraq
Akram Abbas al-Kabi, leader of Iraq’s pro-Iran Harakat al-Nujaba militia group. Photo: Social media
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Akram Abbas al-Kabi, founder and leader of Harakat al-Nujaba, an Iran-aligned armed group in Iraq.
In a public notice, the US State Department described Harakat al-Nujaba as “an Iran-aligned terrorist militia group in Iraq,” adding that its members “have attacked U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq as well as U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria, killing a U.S. contractor and wounding U.S. servicemembers.”
The announcement came as Iraqi and Kurdish leaders gathered in Baghdad to discuss the formation of a new federal cabinet, nearly six months after parliamentary elections. Washington is reportedly seeking to ensure that Tehran-affiliated politicians are excluded from positions in the incoming government.
“If you have information on al-Kabi, send it to us via our Tor tipline or text us on Signal. You could be eligible for relocation and a reward,” the notice said.
The move reflects continued US pressure on Baghdad to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed factions. American officials have repeatedly urged the Iraqi government to rein in groups operating within state-linked security structures, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
“There has been much talk in recent days by the chargé d'affaires of the American embassy, spreading corruption and evil, and directly inciting the Zionist entity against the sacred weapons of the honorable Islamic Resistance in Iraq. Unfortunately, some whose worldly interests have blinded them have now become loyal to these criminals," Kabi said in a statement on Wednesday.
He added that handing over the weapons of the Iran-affiliated "resistance" is a "red line."
The announcement also comes amid heightened regional tensions. The United States and Israel launched a widescale aerial campaign against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to respond with drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, including against US and Israeli-linked targets.
Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups have also played a role in the escalation. Several factions operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have claimed responsibility for attacks targeting US interests in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. These include Kata’ib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba.
According to figures released by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in late April, at least 809 drones and missiles targeted the Kurdistan Region between February 28 — when the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran began — and April 20.
“Despite the neutral stance adopted by the Kurdistan Region, it nonetheless suffered 20 martyrs,” the KRG’s Department of Media and Information said in a report.
Iran-backed armed factions in Iraq claimed responsibility for many of the attacks on the Kurdistan Region.
According to the KRG, the attacks were carried out “on different and unfounded pretexts.”
Updated at 1:19 with Kabi's statement.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment