US offers up to $3 million for information on attacks in Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The United States said on Thursday it is offering up to $3 million for information on attacks on its diplomatic facilities in Iraq, one day after drone attacks on bases hosting US personnel.

“Cowardly terrorists attack the US diplomatic missions in Iraq and then rush to hide among civilians. America is offering a reward of up to $3 million for information on planned or past attacks against US diplomatic facilities,” the State Department’s Rewards for Justice initiative said in a tweet in Arabic.

The reward is offered “for information leading to the prevention and stopping of terrorism against persons and property of the US diplomatic missions abroad.”  

It comes a day after three rockets hit Balad airbase in Salahaddin province, where US sub-contractors operate. Explosive-laden drones later hit Baghdad International Airport, where US troops are based.  

The US Embassy in Baghdad is also frequently targeted in rocket attacks. In December 2019, supporters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) stormed the embassy compound. The embassy has previously drawn down its staff due to security concerns.

Attacks on the embassy and military bases hosting US troops and contractors have increased since the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020, leading to a non-binding parliamentary resolution to expel all foreign troops from the country.

The frequent attacks are blamed on Iranian-backed militias who want to force American troops to withdraw from Iraq.

The US has previously threatened to close the embassy if attacks from Iran-backed militias continue. 

A top Iranian official said in April said that the US will still face attacks in Iraq, even if they “concentrate their troops more in the Kurdistan Region” claiming that Iraqi youth do not want foreign troops to be present in the country.

In March, an advisor to Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that the Iraqi government is working on a timetable for troop withdrawal. The US has already reduced its number of troops in the country.