Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi fired the head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Organization, Hamid al-Shatri, leaving one of the country's most sensitive security positions without a permanent head. Al-Zaidi is reported to be personally managing this organization on a temporary basis. These dismissals occurred just before al-Zaidi's trip to Damascus; This is the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Al-Shatari was responsible for Baghdad's interaction with the new Syrian leadership, and observers are uncertain about the timing of this action. Competing narratives indicate that the position is contested within the framework of Shiite coordination, and it is reported that some factions support Omar al-Wai, the head of the Border Crossing Organization, who appears to be acceptable to Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi fired the head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Organization, Hamid al-Shatri, leaving one of the country's most sensitive security positions without a permanent head. Al-Zaidi is reported to be personally managing this organization on a temporary basis. These dismissals occurred just before al-Zaidi's trip to Damascus; This is the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Al-Shatari was responsible for Baghdad's interaction with the new Syrian leadership, and observers are uncertain about the timing of this action. Competing narratives indicate that the position is contested within the framework of Shiite coordination, and it is reported that some factions support Omar al-Wai, the head of the Border Crossing Organization, who appears to be acceptable to Iran.