The key facts
- Al-Zaidi dismissed intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri without giving reasons; no successor named
- Rashad Khalaf Hashim became the new chief of staff, replacing Ihsan al-Awadi
- 69 advisers are also being dismissed; a Baghdad court ordered an investigation into the Maysan province governor
Government reshuffle
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office in May, has carried out an extensive government reshuffle, reports The National. The order, signed by his new chief of staff Rashad Khalaf Hashim on October 26 and effective immediately, dismisses intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri — without stating any reasons. No successor has been named yet. Hashim took over as chief of staff on Monday, replacing Ihsan al-Awadi. According to a letter leaked on social media, 69 advisers are also being dismissed from the prime minister's office.
Who is al-Shatri
Al-Shatri was appointed intelligence chief in December 2024 by the previous prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani; before that he headed the National Security Service. After last November's general elections, his name was mentioned as a possible candidate for prime minister during the protracted coalition negotiations that ended with al-Zaidi's appointment. As intelligence chief, he led several security delegations to Syria on counterterrorism and border security issues.
Dispute over the border crossing
The reshuffle comes amid a conflict with the provincial council over the closure of the al-Shib border crossing with Iran. A Baghdad court on Monday ordered an investigation into Maysan province governor Mustafa Dhurai Abdulhasan: al-Zaidi demanded the probe after the official called for civil disobedience if the crossing was not reopened. Iraq closed the crossing last week over border security concerns, which strained relations with Iran and pro-Iranian Iraqi politicians. In September, Iraq also preemptively closed the Shalamcheh crossing after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Consequences and context
The closure of the crossing disrupted trade and daily life in the province; an impact on the prices of basic goods was expected, especially fresh produce and Iranian construction materials, which dominate southern markets. Al-Zaidi seeks to maintain balanced relations with both Iran and the United States while bringing armed groups under state control: some pro-Iranian groups have complied, while others resist. Earlier, an adviser to al-Zaidi said that Iran “is deliberately undermining Iraq’s security”, while Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closeduntil the United States accepts Tehran's terms.
