Counter Terrorism Service Iraqi Special Operations Forces (CTS - ISOF) | |
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Founded |
|
Country | Iraq |
Branch | Iraqi Armed Forces |
Type | Special Forces |
Role | Counter Terrorism |
Size | see below |
Part of | Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (reports directly to Prime Minister of Iraq) |
Garrison/HQ | Green Zone, Baghdad |
Nickname(s) | The Golden Division |
Motto(s) | "Raise The Black" |
Colors | Black |
Engagements | |
Website | https://www.isof-iq.com/ |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lt. Gen. Karim Abboud Muhammad[1] |
Notable commanders | Abdul Ghani al-Asadi Khalil Dabbagh Talib Shaghati Fadhil al-Barwari Abdel-Wahab al-Saadi |
Insignia | |
ICTB Flag | |
ISOF Flag |
The Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) (Arabic: جهاز مكافحة الارهاب) is an Iraqi security and intelligence agency tasked with counterterrorism.[2] The Service’s operational arm is called the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) (Arabic: قوات العمليات الخاصة العراقية). They are an elite special operations force composed of three brigades and based in several governorates.
During the occupation of Iraq, all military, security, and intelligence entities of the country were dissolved by the Coalition Provisional Authority following the issuance of CPA Order 2, and rebuilt from scratch. CTS was created in 2007 and is funded by the Ministry of Defence.[3] The Service played a crucial role in combatting terrorism during the war in Iraq (2013-2017). ISOF have conducted joint operations with the Green Berets.[4]