Iraq's intelligence service has warned it will prosecute those leveling baseless accusations against it, tarnishing its reputation and questioning the patriotism of its officers and employees.

The warning from the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) came in an official statement on March 15, just one day after the head of an Iran-backed faction had accused it of politicization and of being infiltrated by foreign operatives. On March 15, Qais al-Khazali, head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, accused the INIS of transferring 300 of its members to the Border Ports Authority for political purposes. He also claimed in a tweet that a team of Emiratis had infiltrated the intelligence apparatus and were running it.

Mohammad Ridha al-Haidar, head of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, rushed to deny Khazali’s allegations. In press statements on March 17, he categorically refuted the accusations that an Emirati security team had arrived in the country to manage the intelligence agency. Haidar affirmed he inquired about the matter and found it to be incorrect.

The attacks on the INIS are also largely targeted at Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who also serves as head of the INIS.