Group Blames Trump for 2020 Baghdad Strike

The group said the reward was connected to Trump’s approval of the January 2020 drone strike that targeted Soleimani, who was the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, along with al-Muhandis, a senior figure in Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces. The strike had significantly increased tensions between the United States and Iran-backed groups across the region.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organisation representing several armed factions, has previously opposed the US military presence in Iraq and has carried out threats against American interests in the region.

Announcement Comes Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

The reported bounty announcement comes amid continued tensions between Washington and Iran-aligned groups in the Middle East. Relations between the US and Iran-backed militias have remained strained over military operations, regional influence and the presence of American forces in Iraq.

The development has raised fresh security concerns due to the history of threats made against senior US officials following the killing of Soleimani. Authorities have previously warned about possible retaliation attempts linked to the strike.

Threat Draws International Attention

The reported statement by the armed group has attracted global attention as it directly targets the US President. However, such announcements by militant groups are often viewed in the context of political messaging, retaliation claims and ongoing geopolitical conflicts in the region.

The United States and Iraq have continued discussions on security cooperation, while Iraqi authorities have faced challenges in managing the influence of multiple armed factions operating within the country.