Al Maliki condemns Intelligence Headquarters Raid

Obviously the Iraq government has little control over these raids. I should say none at all, and this explains the furious reaction. What would happen if the Iraqi forces invaded a US jail (one in Iraq) and released the prisoners and charged some of the jailors!


Iraq PM condemns intel HQ raidFrom correspondents in Baghdad

March 05, 2007 07:43am

IRAQ'S Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has reacted with fury to a raid on his interior ministry's intelligence office in Basra by Iraqi and coalition troops, demanding that they be punished.

Earlier, a British military spokesman had said that the raid had uncovered evidence of torture.

"Prime Minister Maliki has ordered an investigation into the raid and has demanded that those behind this illegal and irresponsible act be punished," said the prime minister's office.

This is not the first time that Mr Maliki has condemned action taken by the US-led coalition against his Shiite-led security forces.

It will be taken, however, as a worrying sign that the allies do not always see eye to eye as they implement a broad security plan.

Soldiers stormed the local headquarters of the Iraqi interior ministry's domestic intelligence agency in the southern port city of Basra and released more than 37 prisoners being held there, Iraqi police said.

"In the early hours of this morning there was a search and detention operation by the Iraqi counter-terrorist force supported by multinational forces," said British spokesman Major David Gell.

"Five individuals were arrested on suspicion of serious terrorist activity, including involvement with roadside bombs and attacks against both civilians and multinational forces," he said.

"The Iraqi national intelligence building was subsequently struck and further evidence of significant criminal activity, such as torture, was found."

After the raid, Iraqi intelligence agents wearing black balaclava masks and carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles showed reporters around their building, including the cell were prisoners had formerly been kept.

British forces based in southern Iraq have been confronted with serious corruption among Iraqi security units, many of which are infiltrated or controlled by violent Shiite political factions and militia groups.