The unidentified suspect is believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State militant group, according to Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council.

U.S. officials say they have not established a direct link between the suspect in Iraq and the man who carried out the New Year's attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people.

Din Jabbar, 42, to carry out the attack, which also left dozens injured on the famed New Orleans street at the height of New Year’s Eve celebrations.