Our Iraq and Kurdistan visit

Learning by listening and ground truthing!

by Alex Bomberg | 1st March 2024

Our Iraq and Kurdistan visit

We believe that success in business requires courage and a willingness to take risks. Equally important is the ability to listen actively and speak thoughtfully.

By understanding the needs and perspectives of others, we can make informed decisions and build stronger relationships, driving innovation and growth.

In early 2023, our Chairman, Alex Bomberg, and Managing Director, Christian Hill, envisioned expanding our presence by establishing an office in Iraq and Kurdistan. The Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited group, through its sister company International Intelligence Limited, had previously operated in Iraq during the early 2000s. During this time, in Iraq, we conducted various intelligence and counterintelligence operations, close protection, vehicle escorting, witness protection, and risk management services.

Fast-forward two decades, Alex and Christian find themselves in discussions with the President of Iraq, addressing critical security issues and, most importantly, listening to his concerns about the security industry in the country. This includes topics such as private military companies and diplomatic security and the ongoing threat of terrorism within Iraq and the broader region.

In addition to meeting with the President, Alex and Christian held discussions with the Prime Minister of Iraq, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and key Ministers of Security and Intelligence. Their mission continued in Kurdistan, where they engaged with senior ministers to deepen their understanding of the region’s unique security landscape.

As part of their visit to Kurdistan, Alex and Christian toured Batnaya, a town devastated by years of conflict, and refugee camps for internally displaced persons in northern Kurdistan. These interactions were crucial in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the security challenges faced by the Iraqi and Kurdistan peoples, the geopolitical dynamics at play, and the realities on the ground.

Our Directors have since, traveled multiple times from the UK to Iraq and Kurdistan, engaging in important meetings with local leaders and academics to deepen their understanding of the geopolitical and business landscape. While the recent military actions in the region have added complexity, we continue to closely monitor developments.

The primary focus of these visits has been to foster relationships, gain insights into the evolving security environment, and establish a foundation for meaningful contributions to enhancing stability and security in the region.

After a lot of hard work, Intelligent Protection will open its offices in Baghdad and Erbil in late 2024.