The US State Department issues a $10 million reward for the leader of an Iran-backed militia in Iraq.
The bounty is placed on Ahmad al-Hamidawi, secretary general of the Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah.
In a post on X, in which it publishes al-Hamidawi’s photograph, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program writes that the group is “responsible for attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, the kidnapping of US citizens, and the killing of innocent Iraqi civilians.
Last month, Kataeb Hezbollah kidnapped an American journalist, Shelly Kittleson, in Baghdad, but released her several days later on condition that she leave the country. Officials with the group at the time told The Associated Press that in exchange, the Iraqi government would release several members of the militia who had been previously detained.
The group is also responsible for the kidnapping of Israeli Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was freed last year after 2.5 years in captivity.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
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