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By Dan Gooding, Tom O'Connor, and Peter Aitken
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The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has offered bounties for any information that helps the group either capture or "neutralize" high-ranking U.S. military officials or senior leadership figures from intelligence agencies.
In a post on the group's Telegram page, the militia offered 150 million Iraqi dinars for the information—with anyone foreign or domestic able to claim the reward.
"In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful: The tightening of the noose around American forces on the ground has led to a curtailment of their security options," a statement by the militia read. "This pressure affects personnel across all disciplines—whether within the U.S. military or other intelligence and espionage agencies operating in Iraq and the wider region—compelling them to relocate to alternative (civilian) sites that they perceive as more secure."
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"Accordingly, we hereby announce the allocation of a 'substantial financial reward' in exchange for providing information regarding these targets," the group added.
Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon for comment via email Friday afternoon.
Militias in the past have targeted U.S. installations and assets across the Middle East, but the bounty offer marks a sharp escalation in both ambition and operations for the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which aims to disrupt operations and scatter American forces in the area.
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Islamic Resistance Appeal: What To Know
The reward offered was around 150 million Iraqi dinars, the equivalent of about $114,450, and this would be paid out to those who provided information that was accurate and actionable, leading to the deaths of high-ranking U.S. military officials or senior leadership within intelligence agencies, the post said.
The group offered "absolute confidentiality" for those offering up the information, including identity protection.
It was not clear who exactly had put out the call, with the Islamic Resistance name being an umbrella term for Iran-backed militias in Iraq aimed at U.S. forces. The movement was largely born out of the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023, with Iraqi forces attacking American targets in Iraq and Syria, before expanding elsewhere.
Did the US Declare War on Iran?
The U.S., alongside Israel, started bombing Iran around two weeks ago.
U.S. President Donald Trump and others within his administration have referred to Operation Epic Fury as a war, but also as an "excursion" and targeted military operation. A formal declaration of war has not been issued.
How Many US Soldiers Have Been Killed in Iran?
At the moment, 11 U.S. troops have been killed in the conflict.
The latest fatalities were four crew members killed after an American military plane crashed in Iraq on Thursday, U.S. Central Command said.
More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran and Lebanon since the war began and millions have been displaced. Israel and the U.S. have intensified strikes, including escalated Israeli attacks in Beirut and across southern Lebanon.
Update 3/13/26, 3:19 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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