Iraq Military Intelligence chief bans staff media appearances

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The director of Iraq's Military Intelligence, Lieutenant General Hassan al-Silevawi, has reaffirmed that standing orders banning intelligence personnel from speaking to the media remain in force. In a written statement, he said the directive was issued within a legal framework and described unauthorized media appearances as unacceptable and damaging to the armed forces' institutional reputation. Al-Silevawi noted that personnel with grievances can submit complaints to designated authorities under guidelines issued by the Chief of Staff and the military secretariat. Commanders, he said, hold weekly and monthly meetings to hear the concerns of staff, while a separate circular issued on the orders of the Chief of Staff requires unit commanders, directors, intelligence officers and media officers to hold regular sessions with personnel and resolve issues within the legal framework. The director added that service members may raise their concerns directly with the relevant units. No further details on the directive or the circumstances that prompted the renewed reminder were immediately available.