Iraq Removes Hamid al-Shatri as National Intelligence Chief

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered the removal of Hamid al-Shatri as head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, ending the tenure of a senior security official who was appointed to the position in December 2024.

The decision was detailed in an official document from the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office published on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. The document identifies al-Shatri by his full name, Hamid Rashid Falih, and formally terminates his assignment as the intelligence service's chief.

The order was signed by Rashad Khalaf Hashim, director of the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office. It states that the decision was made on the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and becomes effective from the date of its issuance.

The announcement establishes a change in the leadership of one of Iraq's senior security institutions. However, the document does not give a reason for ending al-Shatri's appointment or say who will take over the position. It also provides no details about arrangements for the agency's leadership following his departure.

Al-Shatri, born in 1969 in Dhi Qar Governorate, had held a number of sensitive positions in Iraq's security institutions before taking charge of the national intelligence service. His appointment in December 2024 was made by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who was prime minister at the time.

The new order brings that assignment to an end. While it sets out the administrative basis for the decision and the date on which it takes effect, it does not provide an assessment of al-Shatri's tenure or identify any incident or policy disagreement connected with his removal.

The document confirms that the Iraqi prime minister has exercised his authority to end the intelligence chief's assignment, but does not establish whether the change forms part of a wider reorganization of security leadership.

No replacement was named in the information released with the order. Any subsequent appointment would determine who assumes responsibility for the Iraqi National Intelligence Service after al-Shatri's departure.

For now, the official document establishes two immediate facts: al-Shatri's tenure has been terminated by a diwani order (an official executive order), and the decision is effective from the date of issuance. Further details concerning the government's reasons or the service's next leadership have not been announced in the information available.

This report was updated on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 04:26pm.