ASAYESH

(Security)

This is the name of the current and apparently effective internal security and counterterrorism organization run by theKurdistan Regional Government(KRG). It possesses executive power and presently is headed byMasrour Barzani, the son ofMassoud Barzani, the president of the KRG and theKurdistan Democratic Party(KDP). The KDP's closely related intelligence-gathering agency is known asParastin(Protection), also headed by Masrour Barzani.

Since 11 September 2001, the KRG has established an umbrella organization that coordinates the security and intelligence bodies of the KDP andPatriotic Union of Kurdistan(PUK). Although mostly successful in providing internal security, there have been accusations ofhuman rightsviolations againstAsayesh.

SeeQadir, Kamal Said; Counterterrorism Group (CTG).