What Is The Well-Known CIA General Doing In Iraq? | Details Of David Petraeus’ Mission

According to SAEDNEWS, General David Petraeus, the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the architect of the “Sahwa Project” (Awakening Councils) against Al-Qaeda in Iraq, began a visit to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, last Friday. During this visit, he is holding official meetings with senior Iraqi officials, without disclosing the nature of his trip or the official capacity in which he is carrying out his mission in Iraq.

A current member of parliament from the “Coordination Framework” coalition stated that Petraeus has come with a mission to convey messages to Iraqi officials and politicians—whom he worked closely with between 2003 and 2009. He stressed that no one has precise information about the content of these messages, and there is widespread speculation, some of which is presented as credible information. However, the visit and meetings in Baghdad are part of a new U.S. approach, and the messages may come in the form of “recommendations or warnings.”

In Baghdad, Petraeus met with Faiq Zaidan, head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council. An official statement from the judiciary’s media office noted that Zaidan praised Petraeus’ efforts during his time in Iraq, particularly in counterterrorism and promoting national reconciliation during that period. Petraeus also met with Mohammed al-Halbousi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament. A statement from Halbousi’s office said that discussions covered Iraq’s general situation as well as regional and international developments.

Last week, Aed Al-Hilali, political advisor to the Iraqi government, stated in a press interview that “a new American movement led by Petraeus is underway to support Ali Al-Zaydi and influence the formation of his government. Petraeus is carrying ideas related to security restructuring, including the establishment of a new security ministry that would incorporate the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Federal Police, Border Guards, as well as elements of the Sahwa forces and Peshmerga. The plan also includes changes in the structure of the PMF, including the dismissal of several brigade commanders and groups.”

These statements and other interpretations regarding Petraeus’ presence in Baghdad have revived discussions about his experience in Iraq after the U.S. invasion, when he led the process of integrating Iraqi tribal groups (Sahwa) to support U.S. forces in the fight against Al-Qaeda.

Muthanna Al-Hayani, a member of the ruling Coordination Framework, said that Petraeus’ visit to Baghdad and his meetings with several officials and political figures carry indications that go beyond normal protocol frameworks and fall within sensitive security and political contexts related to complex domestic issues.