An Iran-aligned militia coalition in Iraq has announced a cash reward for information about the location and movements of American troops, escalating tensions between armed groups in the region and the United States.
The group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), said on Friday it would pay 150 million Iraqi dinars—about $114,500—for what it described as “accurate and reliable” intelligence on U.S. military personnel operating in Iraq.
According to the group’s statement, the reward is intended to support what it called “targeted operations” against American forces. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera and reflects the growing confrontation between U.S. forces and Iran-backed militias in the region.
The move is widely seen as a response to an earlier bounty announced by the United States targeting senior Iranian figures, including Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader. By offering a counter-reward, the militia coalition appears to be attempting to undermine the security of the roughly 2,500 American troops currently stationed in Iraq.
“Our attacks have reduced the enemy’s security options,” the militia group claimed in its statement, adding that the reward aims to ensure that “no high-ranking official or intelligence element remains hidden.”
The announcement comes amid increased military activity in western Iraq. On Thursday, a Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft crashed in the region, killing four of the six crew members on board. While the militia coalition claimed responsibility for bringing down the aircraft, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said there was no evidence the crash resulted from hostile fire.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also claimed it carried out 31 operations against U.S. targets within a 24-hour period using drones and missiles. The group further alleged that 13 American personnel have been killed since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, though those figures have not been confirmed by the Pentagon.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of State has issued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory for Iraq, warning that Iran-aligned militias continue to pose a serious threat to security. U.S. officials have also urged non-essential American citizens to leave the country while commercial flights remain available.
The Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al‑Sudani is facing increasing pressure as it struggles to manage the activities of armed militias. On Friday, security forces reportedly clashed with demonstrators near Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone during rallies linked to Quds Day.