Iraq’s intelligence agency faces test of political rivalries

Iraq’s Intelligence Agency Undergoes Leadership Shake‑up Amid Political Power Struggles

• Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al‑Zaidi has assumed direct command of the intelligence agency after dismissing its chief, Hamid Al‑Shatri, a development that deepens concerns about internal political rivalries within Iraq’s security institutions.
• The move seeks to strengthen national sovereignty and reduce political interference in the intelligence sector, a role that has become increasingly strategic amid regional instability.

Updated 11 min 47 sec ago

October 31, 2026 12:11

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al‑Zaidi has taken direct control of the country’s intelligence agency after dismissing its chief, Hamid Al‑Shatri, a move that has sparked concerns about deepening political rivalries within Iraq’s security institutions. The leadership change was announced on Thursday evening, three days after Al‑Shatri’s removal of Al‑Zeidi, who was appointed in December 2024 by former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al‑Sudani to replace Raed Jouhi. The government framed the dismissal as part of efforts to reinforce national sovereignty and confront ongoing regional challenges, though it offered no specifics about the challenges or the duration of Al‑Zeidi’s tenure. Al‑Zeidi’s decision raises critical questions about how sensitive positions are distributed among Iraq’s political factions and the extent of their influence over the security establishment.

By assuming personal command, Al‑Zaidi has effectively placed the agency outside the typical political power‑sharing arrangement that underlies the country’s institutions. The prime minister’s statement that the agency “belongs to all Iraqis” and should be insulated from partisan, factional or sectarian quotas clashes with his direct appointment of a successor, prompting concerns that the agency may remain subject to the ambitions of rival political blocs.

The move carries far‑reaching implications beyond a routine leadership transition. Under Al‑Zaidi, the agency is described as being in need of structural reforms to protect it from intra‑institutional conflict, especially amid heightened regional tensions. Security experts suggest that his plan to centralize authority could shield the agency from being captured by competing factions, though they caution that such centralization does not automatically guarantee professional independence.

Political sources close the report, noting that the intelligence agency had originally been earmarked for Sunni Arabs under bilateral agreements that allocated senior government posts along sectarian lines. Despite these designations, no Sunni individual has yet been appointed to lead the institution. Analysts speculate that Al‑Zaidi’s takeover may be an attempt to protect the upcoming chief from factional infighting during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

The agency has long been at the center of disputes over power‑sharing. Since 2003, senior positions within Iraq’s security apparatus have frequently been exchanged as bargaining chips in negotiations among political factions, eroding the agency’s professional credibility. A Sunni political commentator, speaking on condition of anonymity to Asharq Al‑Awsat, argued that despite official rhetoric about inclusive citizenship, Sunni Arabs have repeatedly faced inequitable treatment under the quota system, particularly in sensitive and security‑critical roles.

The commentator emphasized that Al‑Zaidi’s direct control could prevent the post from devolving into a factional contest. He contended that opening the position to competitive nominations would likely make consensus impossible, given the entrenched rivalries.

Since the country’s founding, Iraq’s intelligence agency has grappled with the tension between professional expertise and political patronage. Senior posts have often become leverage points in inter‑factional deals, weakening institutional autonomy. Senior researchers, such as Abbas Abboud, have warned that the blurring of administrative and political spheres since 2003 has undermined the agency’s capacity to act as a reliable strategic asset. While Al‑Zaidi seeks to anchor the institution firmly under central oversight, observers stress that true professional independence requires clear appointment rules, accountability mechanisms, and respect for institutional norms.

The prime minister also inaugurated an Office of the Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces, led by former Interior Minister Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al‑Shammari, to tighten civilian oversight of the security sector. This move signals a broader effort to place the armed forces under more direct political leadership, though critics maintain that heightened central control does not guarantee the guardrails needed for an independent intelligence service.

Al‑Mustansiriya University professor Talib Mohammed Karim reiterated that a robust intelligence agency is essential for safeguarding Iraq against regional and international threats. He emphasized that an agency capable of assessing strategic environments and aligning its work with national interests requires genuine independence from partisan calculations. Effective leadership must therefore combine professional competency with vision, ensuring that security priorities serve the nation rather than the interests of competing political blocs.

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