Abd al-Karim Barjas
Governor Abdul Karim Burjas al-Rawi عبد الكريم برجس الراوي | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Anbar | |
| In office 2003 – July 2004 | |
| Appointed by | Anbar Provincial Council (PC) |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Abdallah Saleh |
| Succeeded by | Faisal Raikan al-Gut al-Nimrawi (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Iraq |
| Died | 14 June 2022 Amman, Jordan |
| Occupation | Politician |
Abdul Karim Burjas al-Rawi (died 14 June 2022)[1] was the first post-invasion Governor of Iraq's Al Anbar province, serving until July 2004, when he resigned.
Biography
[edit]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 Karim Burjas, a former General, as their unofficial leader and new Governor of Anbar Province. Burjas's position was later recognized by the coalition.
Barjas resigned in July 2004 after his 3 sons were released in Fallujah by militants who had been holding them. The militants responsible then released a video on 5 August 2004 showing Barjas resigning and apologizing for opposing the Iraqi insurgency. In the video Barjas stated, "I am Abd al-Karim Barjas, 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 US 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
[edit]- ^ وفاة-أول-محافظ-للانبار-ب (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.