Abd al-Karim Barjas
Iraqi politician (died 2022)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 |
| University of Baghdad | |
| Occupation | Politician |
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]