International
US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks
US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks
The United States State Department has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture or identification of a senior Iraqi militia leader accused of involvement in attacks on American and allied targets in the Middle East.
The reward targets Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, who is identified as the leader of the Iran-backed armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation.
The announcement was made through the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme, which stated that individuals who provide credible information on al-Saraji’s whereabouts may also be eligible for relocation assistance in addition to the financial reward.
U.S. authorities say the group has carried out attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, including sites in Baghdad, as well as strikes on American military bases and personnel in both Iraq and Syria. Washington also accuses KSS of involvement in violence against Iraqi civilians, describing it as part of a wider network of Iran-aligned militias operating across Iraq and the region.
Al-Saraji is also linked to Iraq’s powerful Coordination Framework, a Shiite political alliance that holds significant influence in the country’s parliamentary system.
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The reward forms part of a broader U.S. strategy of increasing pressure on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which Washington says continue to destabilise the country and threaten regional security. In recent months, the United States has urged Baghdad to tighten financial controls, restrict militia funding, and improve oversight of security-related spending.
The move follows similar action earlier this month when Washington offered a reward for a commander linked to Kataib Hezbollah, another Iran-aligned armed group operating in Iraq.
Iraq remains a key flashpoint in wider U.S.–Iran tensions, with multiple armed groups operating alongside official state security forces. Although the country has seen relative stability in recent years, the continued presence of powerful militias outside full government control remains a major security and governance challenge.
These armed groups have previously been accused of targeting the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, the diplomatic zone at Baghdad International Airport, and foreign-owned energy installations in Iraq.
There has been no immediate response from KSS or Iraqi authorities regarding the U.S. announcement. However, similar reward offers and sanctions measures have previously been criticised by militia-linked political actors in Iraq, who often describe them as interference in domestic affairs.
Analysts say the latest move reflects Washington’s broader approach of combining financial incentives, intelligence gathering, and sanctions pressure to disrupt militia networks across the Middle East.
US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks
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International
Trump Says White House Shooting Will Not Change Iran War Stance
Trump Says White House Shooting Will Not Change Iran War Stance
Donald Trump has said that a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will not deter him from his position on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, even as authorities continue investigating the motive behind the attack.
Speaking to reporters at the White House after the incident, Trump said: “It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran,” while noting that investigators had not yet established whether the attack was connected to the conflict.
He added that, based on initial information, he did not believe the shooting was related to Iran, though he acknowledged that “you never know” and described the suspect as a “lone wolf” pending further investigation.
The comments came hours after a major security scare at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., where an armed suspect breached outer security areas during the high-profile dinner attended by top U.S. officials and journalists.
According to law enforcement, the suspect — identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California — allegedly opened fire outside the ballroom area before being intercepted by Secret Service agents.
Officials confirmed that a law enforcement officer was struck but survived after being protected by a bullet-resistant vest.
Trump said the suspect was carrying multiple weapons and was stopped before reaching the main ballroom where he was seated during the event. He praised the Secret Service for their swift response, adding that the attacker never came close to breaching the inner venue area.
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The president also struck a somber tone, saying the incident highlights the risks of public office. “Being president is a dangerous profession,” he said, adding that attempted violence is “part of the job” for someone in his position.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed that the suspect is facing initial federal charges related to firearm use and assaulting an officer, with additional charges expected as investigations continue. She also said the suspect is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes inside the ballroom as guests ducked under tables and security agents rushed to evacuate officials. The event was ultimately cancelled for the night.
Among those evacuated were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all of whom were confirmed safe.
Trump later suggested that the world remains “violent” and reiterated that individuals in powerful positions are often targeted. He also said more details about the suspect’s motive would be released as the investigation develops.
Authorities are continuing to examine how the suspect managed to approach a heavily secured national event, with security agencies launching a full review of protocols at the Washington Hilton venue.
The annual dinner — typically a gathering of journalists, celebrities, and political leaders — was abruptly suspended as security forces secured the area and evacuated attendees. It is expected to be rescheduled.
Trump Says White House Shooting Will Not Change Iran War Stance
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International
Trump Reveals CCTV of Suspect After Shooting Scare in Washington
Trump Reveals CCTV of Suspect After Shooting Scare in Washington
U.S. President Donald Trump has released CCTV footage and photographs of the suspect involved in the shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an incident that triggered panic at one of the most high-profile political gatherings in Washington, D.C.
The footage, shared shortly before the president addressed the media, appears to show the suspect — identified by law enforcement officials as Cole Tomas Allen — rushing through a secured section of the Washington Hilton hotel where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place.
In the video, the man is seen moving quickly toward the ballroom entrance, appearing to bypass metal detectors and other security layers as armed Secret Service agents close in to intercept him. The breach has raised fresh concerns about security at high-profile U.S. events.
Trump also released still images showing a shirtless man lying face down in a foyer area with his hands restrained behind his back, believed to be the suspect moments after he was apprehended.
Describing the incident, the president labeled the suspect a “would-be assassin,” claiming he was heavily armed and had forced his way past a key security checkpoint. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the attack as an assassination attempt, with investigations ongoing into the suspect’s motive.
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According to officials, the suspect reportedly discharged a weapon during the incident, leading to a confrontation with security personnel. A law enforcement officer was struck by gunfire but survived due to a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover.
The incident caused widespread panic inside the venue, with guests — including top government officials, journalists, and dignitaries — diving under tables or fleeing as what sounded like gunshots rang out.
Among those evacuated were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all of whom were confirmed safe.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said there was no indication of additional suspects and reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat. Authorities believe the suspect may have acted alone.
Security agencies have since launched a full investigation into the Washington Hilton security breach, focusing on how the suspect managed to penetrate multiple layers of protection at such a heavily secured event.
The annual dinner was abruptly disrupted as officials prioritized safety, with the incident underscoring growing concerns around U.S. political event security amid heightened global tensions.
Trump Reveals CCTV of Suspect After Shooting Scare in Washington
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International
Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner
A dramatic security breach triggered widespread panic on Saturday night after an armed man stormed the lobby outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., where Donald Trump and several senior U.S. officials were उपस्थित.
The suspect, identified by law enforcement sources as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, reportedly approached the Washington Hilton armed with guns and knives before rushing toward the ballroom entrance.
According to officials, the situation escalated when the attacker attempted to breach a security checkpoint, prompting a swift response from Secret Service agents. Reports indicate that the suspect opened fire near the venue, causing chaos among attendees gathered inside the ballroom.
Guests at the high-profile event — which hosts leading journalists, politicians, and dignitaries — described hearing gunshots and immediately diving under tables or fleeing for safety. The incident unfolded rapidly, with security personnel moving in to neutralize the threat before the suspect could access the main hall.
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A law enforcement officer was struck during the confrontation but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover, authorities confirmed.
The Secret Service quickly evacuated President Trump alongside Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. All were confirmed safe and unharmed.
Speaking shortly after the incident at the White House, Trump described the attacker as a “sick person,” adding that early intelligence suggested the suspect acted alone. “When you’re impactful, they go after you,” he said.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat, stating that authorities had “no reason” to believe others were involved.
Security agencies have since launched a full investigation into the security breach at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, focusing on how the suspect managed to get close to one of the most heavily guarded political events in the United States.
The annual dinner — a major fixture in the U.S. political calendar — was abruptly halted following the incident, as officials prioritized the safety of attendees amid heightened U.S. security concerns.
The development comes at a sensitive moment for the Trump administration, with several top officials present at the event amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and global security challenges.
Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner
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