Mossad's Kurdish dilemma

Mossad's Kurdish dilemma
Mossad's Kurdish dilemma

There can be no doubt that the Islamic Republic is a top priority for Israel's foreign intelligence and counterterrorism service, Mossad. In addition to fears that Tehran may have ambitions to acquire or develop its own nuclear capability, Israeli security chiefs are also concerned about Iran's development of long-range delivery platforms that might bring Israel within the range of such weapons. Although similar concerns have existed for some years, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent endorsement of the call for the destruction of the State of Israel has led to demands that the national security threat posed by Iran should be addressed by Mossad as a matter of urgency.

At present, one of Israel's most productive sources of intelligence on Iran is the mountainous Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq. This region borders Iran and there is significant cross-border movement of both individuals and intelligence.

In mid-2003, rumours started circulating in the media that Mossad was re-establishing its intelligence operations in northern Iraq. At the time, both Israeli and Kurdish officials denied these reports. However, given the historic links between Mossad and the Iraqi Kurds - and mounting concerns over Iranian militancy - few informed insiders make much effort to deny that there is a basis of truth in these stories. There is also evidence to suggest that Mossad has become more active in building ties with the Syrian Kurdish opposition.

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