Iraqi PM makes sweeping changes in senior security posts

Since taking office in October, Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has been replacing government officials appointed by his predecessor

Mohammed Shia Al Sudani's reshuffle was in part to 'enhance the performance efficiency of the security institutions', the Iraqi government said. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani on Wednesday ordered sweeping changes to senior security posts, the government said.

A statement did not give details of the posts affected or the personnel changes but a government official told The National they include the heads of the National Security Service and Intelligence Service as well as other senior officials within these departments.

The director general of the Interior Ministry and former head of the Falcons Cell intelligence unit, Abdul Karim Abd Fadel, will lead the National Security Service, the official said.

Mr Fadel, widely known by his nom du guerre Abu Ali Al Basri, was one of the founders of the Falcons Cell, created in 2009 under the supervision of former prime minster Nouri Al Maliki.

He was removed as the head of the unit by former prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi as part of a wide reshuffle of the military, police and intelligence leadership after back-to-back suicide bombings in Baghdad that killed 32 and injured more than 100 in early 2021.

In November, Mr Al Sudani appointed him to lead a security team with “broad powers” to support an anti-corruption body.

The Prime Minister also appointed Waqas Mohammed as acting head of the Intelligence Service, the official told The National.

The government statement said the changes were made “to inject new blood and provide an opportunity for other leaders to the manage security in order to enhance the performance efficiency of the security institutions”.

“The step comes after a comprehensive study to enhance security and stability in various parts of the country,” it added.

The decisions have been made “in accordance with the requirements of the public interest which necessitate working with a professional vision led by new security leaders who are characterised by competence”, it said.

Mr Al Sudani took office in October after a year-long post-election political stalemate that led to clashes between Shiite militias and delays in investment in vital sectors.

Since then, the Prime Minister, who has the backing of Iran's staunch allies in the Co-ordination Framework parliamentary bloc, has been replacing government officials appointed by previous prime minister with others linked with or close to the bloc's members.