Abd al-Karim Barjas
Governor Abdulkareem Burjis al-Rawi عبد الكريم برجس الراوي | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Anbar | |
| In office April 2003 – August 2004 | |
| Appointed by | Anbar Provincial Council (PC) |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Abdallah Saleh |
| Succeeded by | Fassal Raikan Alkaood (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 July 1946 |
| Died | 14 June 2022 (Aged 75) Baghdad, Iraq |
| Party | Independent |
| Children | Seven |
| Residence(s) | Ramadi, Iraq |
| Alma mater | University of Baghdad |
| Occupation | Politician |
Abdulkareem Burjis al-Rawi (died 14 June 2022)[1] was the first post-invasion Governor of Iraq's Al Anbar province, serving until August 2004, when he resigned.
Biography
Shortly after the invasion in 2003, Sunni tribal leaders and former Ba'athists, led by members of the Al-Kharbit (Khalifa) and Al-Gaoud (Nimr) families met to select Abdulkareem Burjis, a former General, as their unofficial leader and new Governor of Anbar Province. Burjis's position was later recognized by the coalition.
Barjis resigned in August 2004 after his three sons — Ezideen, Ibrahim, and Mustafa — were released in Fallujah by militants who had been holding them. The militants responsible then released a video on 5 August 2004 showing Barjis resigning and apologizing for opposing the Iraqi insurgency. In the video Barjis stated, "I am Abdulkareem Barjis, governor of Al-Anbar. I declare before God and you my repentance of any action I did against the mujahedin, and I announce my resignation of my post." The United States subsequently announced it would not make concessions to hostage takers.[2] The militants responsible were believed to be members of al-Qaeda in Iraq.[3]
Following his resignation, he retired from public service.[3]
After his resignation an interim governor filled the role of Governor of Anbar.[4] Faisal Raikan al-Gut al-Nimrawi served as interim Governor until being forced out by tribal leaders[5] in January 2005, and the Provincial Governing Council subsequently appointed Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi as the new Governor.[4]
References
- ^ وفاة-أول-محافظ-للانبار-ب Archived 15 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine (in Arabic)
- ^ "Fierce Fighting Escalates In Iraq". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. 31 August 2004. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ a b Perry, Mark (2010). Talking to Terrorists: Why America Must Engage with Its Enemies. Basic Books. p. 225. ISBN 9780465011179.
- ^ a b Kimberly Johnson (27 June 2006). "Governor not backing off in violent Anbar". USA Today. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Governor of Iraqi province seized". Al Jazeera. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.