Falcon Cell News Today

Sweeping reshuffle sees return of spymaster Abu Ali al-Basri as head of national security agency

Two weeks ago, the Falcons Cell was one of the Iranian-backed factions’ most-prized assets in Iraq. The elite intelligence unit, hailed as Iraq’s “most dangerous” spy network, is CIA and MI6 trained. It boasts hundreds of successful operations against militant operatives, and rivals all other Iraqi intelligence services in its scope and prowess. Yet in one swoop, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has changed its leadership and snatched this prize from his Shia rivals, securing for himse...