Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi
| Governor Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi رجا نواف فرحان المحلاوي | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Anbar | |
|
In office January 2005 – 29 May 2005 | |
| Appointed by | Anbar Provincial Council (PC) |
| Preceded by | Faisal Raikan al-Gut al-Nimrawi (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani |
| Personal details | |
| Died |
29 May 2005 Rawah, Anbar, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi (Arabic: رجا نواف فرحان المحلاوي) was the Governor of Iraq's Al Anbar province, serving from January 2005 until his death in May 2005.
Early life & pre-war career
Mahalawi was originally from Qaim in Anbar province. He served as Mayor of the town during the tenure of Saddam Hussein.[1]
Governorship
Following the resignation of Abd al-Karim Barjas in July 2004, an interim governor filled the role of Governor of Anbar.[2] Faisal Raikan al-Gut al-Nimrawi served as interim Governor until being forced out by tribal leaders[1] in January 2005, and the Provincial Governing Council subsequently appointed al-Mahalawi as the new Governor.[2]
Kidnapping and Death
Mahalawi was kidnapped near Qaim on the morning of Tuesday 10 May 2005, whilst driving between Qaim and Ramadi.[3][4] Qaim was at the time the scene of fighting between US Forces and insurgents, with the fighting in Qaim being called a victory for the insurgents by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.[3][5]
Following his kidnapping his abductors announced that they would hold him until US Forces pulled out of Qaim, however Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Boylan, a spokesman for US forces in Iraq, said: We don't respond to insurgent or terrorist demands.[1] Relatives of Mahalawi along with a government official announced that Mahalawi had been released on 15 May, although this later proved to be incorrect.[6] Mahalawi was later handed to a different kidnapper cell.[5]
On 29 May US Forces in Rawah came under RPG and automatic rifle fire from insurgents in a farmhouse.[7][3][4] The US forces returned fire, killing 4 of the fighters and wounding 3 others.[3] Mahalawi's body was then found inside the house. The body was found blindfolded and chained to a gas cylinder, and had suffered from a blow to the head.[7][3][4] Mahalawi hadn't been shot,[5] but had instead seemingly been killed by a falling piece of rubble that had fallen on him during the firefight.[5] His body was identified by family members in Qaim on 30 May, and his death announced by Laith Kuba, a Government Spokesperson, on Tuesday 31 May.[4]
Of the four fighters killed by the US during the firefight 2 were from Syria, 1 from Algeria, and 1 from Jordan.[5] Of the three injured 2 were Saudi's, and 1 was a Moroccan.[5]
Following al-Mahalawi's death the Provincial Council elected Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani as his successor.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 "Governor of Iraqi province seized". Al Jazeera. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- 1 2 3 Kimberly Johnson (27 June 2006). "Governor not backing off in violent Anbar". USA Today. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Helicopter Crashes, Provincial Governor Found Dead in Iraq". PBS. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Associated Press (31 May 2005). "Governor of Anbar Province Killed". Fox News. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Anbar governor killed in clashes". Al Jazeera. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ↑ "Governor found dead after battle in western Iraq". New York Times. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- 1 2 Aamer Madhani (1 June 2005). "Anbar leader found dead after assault". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 31 August 2013.