Intelligence efforts in Iraq a preemptive war on terrorism

The importance of intelligence efforts has intensified due to security failure in the wake of threats challenging Iraq, which has been suffering from such insecurity since 2003 resulted from the lawlessness after the US invasion.

Sectarian conflict also cast its shadow on the security conditions in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. The situation has complicated following the emergence of ISIS, which has posed a threat to the regional and world security.

Security is one of the most nagging issues facing any government. There is a number of questions, on top of which is the influence of intelligence on combating terrorism.

Intelligence efforts for combating terrorism in Iraq

 Despite the mistakes made during the restructure of the Iraqi army, which is formed on the basis of tribal quotas, the objective was how to create an integrated security system. The Iraqi army was restructured in 2004 to become an independent entity under the Iraqi constitution.

The intelligence operations against terrorism have a priority compared to the military handling and armament. However, the birth of intelligence work in Iraq was not easy. It took time to develop Iraq's intelligence operations. The intelligence unit has benefited from rising financial resources, which enriched its technological capabilities.

 The Iraqi intelligence service improved and killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was wanted by the US, in June 2006. That was a strong blow to al-Qaeda.

The strategy of Iraq's intelligence has shifted from its local focus to regional and international role, especially after the formation of 60-member anti-ISIS coalition. A number of terrorists were detained thanks to this change.

These raids were carried out according to preemptive attacks targeting terrorists in Iraq. This kind of operations relies on intelligence information and supervision of websites. The objective is to build bridge of confidence between the security authorities and citizens.

Iraq's intelligence service foiled a plot to attack military targets and launched a number of raids in collaboration with security forces and detained many of the so-called 'Baghdad State'.

It also detained a terrorist group on September 24. All of these preemptive attacks have confused the terrorist groups.

Challenges

Iraq's intelligence service has been a controversial issue. The Iraqi intelligence service has not had any positive impact on the security situation due to lawlessness. An intelligence service is established on either of two foundations: the nature of crime or enemy.

If it is based on the nature of crime, there will be specialized authorities for terrorism, drugs and economic cases respectively. However, if it is based on the enemy, there will be specialized authorities for ISIS and al-Qaeda.

The Iraqi intelligence has been operating chaotically without any coordination with other security authorities. If one asks any intelligence unit about its duty, combating terrorism will be the answer.

1.       There's no strategy.

2.       Unclear security scene.     

Iraq's intelligence service lacks strategy and clarity of the security scene. The intelligence service cannot operate without a strategy and vision. There should be a center for strategic planning.

The intelligence service lays out the general vision of the national security. It sets up an overall security strategy within a specified timetable.

3.       Inaccurate data analysis.

The information requires scrutiny and accuracy in making conclusions. This analysis is done by intelligence analysts.

4.       The intelligence service often releases reports on terrorist attacks after they take place. Sometimes it sends reports on terrorist attacks before they happen. However, due to unclear responsibility and duties, these reports are useless.

5.       Chaos and intersection of many security and intelligence authorities. Former Minister of Interior Mohammed Al-Ghabban resigned in  July 2017 because of lack of coordination between security authorities.  

Conclusion

Counterterrorism methods -- old and modern – have revealed that terrorists changed their strategy and tactics. In this case, the terrorists launch only local operations. They may launch the attacks at different places away from the ones that were combed by the intelligence service.

It is important to upgrade the strategy of Iraq's intelligence service and boost cooperation with executive authorities, which were fettered by the political tension. Although the Iraqi intelligence service has successfully cracked down on opposition political parties, it has failed in exposing terrorist and takfiri groups to abort its plans. Therefore, vigilance is the most crucial weapon to combat terrorism in Iraq.