Abdul Karim Burjas al-Rawi (died 14 June 2022) was the first post-invasion Governor of Iraq's

Al Anbar Al Anbar Governorate (; ''muḥāfaẓat al-’Anbār''), or Anbar Province, is the largest governorate in Iraq by area. Encompassing much of the country's western territory, it shares borders with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The population ...

province A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...

, serving until July 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 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 Fallujah ( ) is a city in Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq. Situated on the Euphrates, Euphrates River, it is located roughly to the west of the capital city of Baghdad and from the neighboring city of Ramadi. The city is located in the region ...

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. The militants responsible were believed to be members of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Following his resignation he retired from public service. After his resignation an interim governor filled the role of Governor of Anbar. Faisal Raikan al-Gut al-Nimrawi served as interim Governor until being forced out by tribal leaders in January 2005, and the Provincial Governing Council subsequently appointed

Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi () was the Governor of Iraq's Al Anbar province, serving from January 2005 until his death in May 2005. Early life and pre-war career Mahalawi was originally from Qaim in Al Anbar Governorate. He served as Mayor of t ...

as the new Governor.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barjas, Abd al-Karim 20th-century births 2022 deaths 20th-century Iraqi politicians 21st-century Iraqi politicians Governors of Al Anbar Governorate Year of birth missing