The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service's star is rising as it battles the Islamic State (IS). The unit's success is fueling its influence, which is only expected to grow now that Iraq has launched what it hopes will be the final stage of liberating western Mosul.

Iraq has given the most important task of that operation to the counterterrorism force and its elite unit, the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF), also known as the Golden Division. ISOF commander Lt. Gen. Sami Arda said Feb. 17, "Anti-terrorism forces will be responsible for undertaking the street battles in the [western half] of Mosul." They also have prepared the plan for the operation, according to the commander of counterterrorism forces Lt. Gen. Abdul Ghani al-Asadi. Now, they are moving toward the western heart of the city from the south.

Al-Monitor learned from a senior source at the counterterrorism bureau, who declined to be named, that after the liberation is completed, bureau officers could serve in high posts, including the premiership’s military secretary, army general staff, military attache in Washington, the Mosul operations command and even the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) presidency.

The counterterrorism bureau has already received increasing attention recently in both security and political spheres. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been recommending bureau members for positions in both areas, including the new defense minister, Maj. Gen. Irfan Hayali. Hayali previously served as the head of the bureau's training and development unit for 10 years.