Iraqi National Accord: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Iraqi National Accord (INA) is an Iraqi opposition group headed by Iyad Allawi and founded by British intelligence in 1990 but also drawing support from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States.

The INA consists mainly of military and security personnel who have defected from the Iraqi army under Saddam Hussein's rule. Because of the perceived connections between INA members and the security forces protecting Saddam Hussein, the INA drew American interest as an alternative ally to the Iraqi National Congress.

Following Allawis recruitment by the CIA in 1992, INA organised terrorist attacks in Iraq between 1992 and 1995 to demonstrate its capacities as a militant group. According to former CIA officers, these attacks included the bombing of a cinema as well as a school bus that killed school children. [1] [2]

In August of 1995, Saddam's son-in-law, Hussein Kamel Majid authorised the INA to operate from Jordan after he defected to there. The INA has close ties to the CIA, and was involved in the failed 1996 coup against Saddam. However, INA had been infiltrated by agents loyal to Saddam, and in June, 1996, 30 Iraqi military officers were executed and 100 others were arrested for alleged ties to the INA. [3]

Allawi, declared the Prime Minister of Iraq on 2004-05-28, claimed the INA was still active in Iraq as of March, 1998.