It was later placed under the Operations Directorate during changes to the army made in 2000.

In 1994, it was placed under the deputy head of the Operations Directorate.

Worse, he had the power to enforce his will - and a memory of the Operations Directorate's recent history.

The resignations of other senior officials within the operations directorate may follow, the former officials said.

He was nearly a legend within Saddam Hussein's special operations directorate.

"He's reached back for a solid performer and he's obtained someone who will have the support of the operations directorate."

The operations directorate is responsible for covert actions and the clandestine collection of information overseas.

The cerebral, almost scholarly culture there is a far cry from the more secretive spirit of the operations directorate.

The operations directorate was in such deep trouble that it was facing a life sentence - or execution.

For the first time in a generation, the Operations Directorate had been granted a presidential hunting license.