An Oct. 26 order signed by the director of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office ended the intelligence chief’s assignment as the office replaced its director and terminated 69 contracts. The order gave no reason for the decision and named no successor.
The order names the former chief as Hamid Rashid Falih, whom 964media refers to as Hamid al-Shatri. It says the decision took effect on the day it was issued and refers to an appointment order dated Dec. 19, 2024. 964media reported that former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani appointed al-Shatri to lead the service that month.
The prime minister’s media office announced that Rashad Khalaf Hashim, director of the office, replaced Ihsan al-Awadi, the outgoing director, on Oct. 26, 964media reported. Hashim signed the intelligence assignment order in his capacity as office director.
A separate administrative order, No. 1024, ended 69 contracts covering advisers, experts and other staff, according to the directive and attached records reviewed by 964media. It cited the public interest and listed work in security, foreign affairs, economic policy, health, education and public administration. The order did not specify a savings target.
964media reported that the government had introduced broader spending reductions in August. The outlet also reported that al-Sudani ended adviser and expert contracts in February as part of a restructuring intended to cut costs. The available information does not establish that the August reductions caused the latest contract decision.
Before his December 2024 appointment, al-Shatri headed the separate National Security Service, 964media reported. The outlet also reported that al-Zaidi, who took office in May, changed other senior security appointments, including naming new heads of the Counter-Terrorism Service and Federal Police in July.
Asharq Al-Awsat reported that al-Zaidi would manage the intelligence service on an acting basis while a replacement is appointed. The Oct. 26 order does not state that arrangement, and the reports cited no date for a permanent appointment.
