Iraqi PM condemns counter-terrorism commander’s resistance to transfer

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi condemned Sunday statements by a top counter-terrorism commander who rejected a decision to transfer him from his post, a measure which has recently sparked a controversy in the country.

Speaking to journalist, as quoted by Baghdad Today, Abdel-Mahdi said “an officer does not choose his position, but carries out commands”.

The prime minister added that “officers frequenting embassies is unacceptable and impossible, the military cannot be left to personal interests”, without providing clarification.

The decision to transfer Abdel-Wahab al-Saidi, operations commander at the Counter-Terrorism Service, to work under the command of the Defense Ministry, made a stir among observers, given that Saidi was a starring name in the three-year battles and subsequent victory against Islamic State militants in late 2017.

Iraqi media had quoted Saidi saying he would “better be jailed than transferred”, and that a decision to send him to retirement could have been more appropriate given his performance and long service.

Saaran al-Aajibi, a member of the parliament’s defense committee, told Baghdad Today the committee requested a hearing for the prime minister to question him over Saidi’s transfer.