The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Agency accused "malicious and cowardly" media entities on Thursday of being behind rumors regarding the dismissal of its president, Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi. The agency stated in a message published on the official account of the Security Media Cell on Twitter that "a series of rumors targeting the head of the Counter-Terrorism Agency, Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, have spread in recent days on social media."
The statement added that these rumors are "backed by malicious and cowardly media outlets that lack credibility and professionalism in a sensitive and critical time for Iraq." It emphasized that "the propaganda practiced in a systematic way against the Counter-Terrorism Agency aims to undermine public trust in this solid and powerful institution."
For his part, al-Saadi denied the news of his dismissal from his post and stated in comments reported by the official Iraqi News Agency that "the news published by some media outlets and social media concerning my dismissal from my position is baseless." He also stated that "the Counter-Terrorism forces continue to pursue ISIS terrorist gangs in any location within Iraq," urging caution in disseminating information and to verify it from official sources.
Media outlets associated with Tehran-aligned factions in Iraq and accounts featuring images of militia leaders had reported al-Saadi's dismissal and the appointment of Major General Abdul Karim al-Tamimi as his replacement. It is noteworthy that former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi had dismissed Counter-Terrorism Force Commander Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi from his position before the popular uprising in Iraq in October 2019. This move caused public outrage in Iraq, ultimately leading to protests against the ruling political class and resulting in Abdul-Mahdi's resignation.
After taking office as Prime Minister of Iraq in May 2020, Mustafa al-Kadhimi reinstated al-Saadi as head of the agency, which played a significant role in the battles against ISIS. Al-Saadi had a major role on the front lines during operations to defeat ISIS, leading the liberation of Baiji and Tikrit in 2015, and then the battles of Fallujah in 2016, when he rose to prominence. In early 2017, he was appointed commander of the operations to liberate the city of Mosul and is described by many as an "icon of victory."
Al-Saadi has survived several assassination attempts involving car bombs or sniper attacks while leading battles against ISIS. The Counter-Terrorism Agency includes elite forces that are the best equipped and trained, having been established by the Americans after 2003, and is typically assigned the most difficult missions.
