Exclusive: Washington makes progress in relations with Baghdad contingent on “dismantling the factions”
A spokesman for the US State Department confirmed on Wednesday that dismantling Iraqi factions is a “key pillar” for making progress in bilateral relations between Baghdad and Washington.
The spokesman told Shafaq News Agency, “The US administration was very clear in its vision of what is required to achieve progress in bilateral relations between Washington and Baghdad.”
He added that “dismantling the pro-Iranian armed factions in Iraq is a fundamental pillar for strengthening the relationship,” explaining: “We continue to stand with the Iraqi people in their aspirations towards the common goals of protecting Iraq’s sovereignty, enhancing its security, and building a prosperous future that brings tangible benefits to both Americans and Iraqis.”
Regarding the financial reward for information about the Secretary-General of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Hashim Fenian Rahim al-Saraji, known as “Abu Ala al-Walai,” the spokesman explained that the “Rewards for Justice” program issued the reward offer for al-Walai due to his involvement in targeting operations that affected diplomatic and military facilities belonging to the United States.
Informed political sources revealed last Monday that a number of leaders of the Coordination Framework had received messages from the United States expressing its strong displeasure with the participation of the Secretary-General of the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, Abu Ala al-Walai, in the last meeting of the Coordination Framework.
The sources told Shafaq News Agency that “Washington expressed surprise at al-Walai’s participation in a political meeting dedicated to choosing the prime minister, just hours after the US State Department announced a financial reward of up to $10 million for information leading to him .”
She added that “the American message was strongly worded, and included an emphasis that the continued coordination framework’s disregard for the nature of the existing relationship and partnership with Washington may push the American administration to conduct a comprehensive reassessment of the bilateral relationship at various levels, particularly in the security and economic aspects.”
The sources indicated that “the American side hinted at the possibility of not engaging or dealing positively with any new Iraqi government, in the event that the leaders of the factions continue to play a major role among the influential forces in shaping its features or directing its political decisions.”
It is noted that the Coordination Framework nominated Ali al-Zidi on Monday evening to form the new government, and President Nizar Amidi tasked him with forming it.
It is worth noting that the US State Department announced last Friday, through the Rewards for Justice program of the Diplomatic Security Service, a reward of up to $10 million for information about Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known as Abu Ala al-Walai, the leader of the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades in Iraq .
The United States had designated Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and its leader, al-Sarraj, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists in November 2023, before later listing the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in September 2025 .
Shafaq.com