PARASTIN

(Protection)

   This is the effective intelligence- gathering organization the Israeli Mossad and Iranian Savak helped Mulla Mustafa Barzani establish in 1966 for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). It became a formal legal institution in 2004. Both Massoud Barzani and his elder half brother Idris Barzani ran it at various times. Parastin is closely related to Asayesh, the KRG's counterterrorism and internal security agency. Masrour Barzani, the son of Massoud Barzani, heads both organizations.

   See also Counterterrorism Group (CTG).