Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service

Counter Terrorism Service
Iraqi Special Operations Forces
CTS—ISOF
‏جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب
قوات عمليات الخاصة العراقية
Emblem of the Counter Terrorism Bureau
FoundedApril 2007 (CTS established)
Country Iraq
TypeSpecial Operations Forces
RoleCounter Terrorism
Sizesee below
Part ofIraqi Armed Forces
Garrison/HQGreen Zone, Baghdad
Nickname(s)The Golden Division
Motto(s)"Raise The Black"
Colors  Black
Engagements
Commanders
Commander-in-chiefMohammed Shia' Al Sudani
Head of CTSLt. Gen. Karim Abboud al-Tamimi
Commander of CTCMaj. Gen. Hassan Makenzi
Notable
commanders
Talib Shaghati
Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi
Abdul Ghani al-Asadi
Insignia
ICTB Flag
ISOF Flag

The Counter Terrorism Service (CTS; Arabic: جهاز مكافحة الارهاب) is an Iraqi security and intelligence agency tasked with counterterrorism. 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 based in several governorates, and who are often collectively referred to as the Golden Division.

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. 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.