Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi

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.

Governor

Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi
رجا نواف فرحان المحلاوي
Governor of Anbar
In office
January 2005 – 29 May 2005
Appointed byAnbar Provincial Council (PC)
Preceded byFaisal Raikan al-Gut al-Nimrawi (acting)
Succeeded byMaamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani
Personal details
Died29 May 2005
Rawah, Anbar, Iraq
NationalityIraqi
OccupationPolitician

Early life and pre-war career

Mahalawi was originally from Qaim in Al Anbar Governorate. 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. "Governor of Iraqi province seized". Al Jazeera. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  2. Kimberly Johnson (27 June 2006). "Governor not backing off in violent Anbar". USA Today. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  3. "Helicopter Crashes, Provincial Governor Found Dead in Iraq". NewsHour. PBS. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  4. Associated Press (31 May 2005). "Governor of Anbar Province Killed". Fox News. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  5. "Anbar governor killed in clashes". Al Jazeera. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  6. "Governor found dead after battle in western Iraq". New York Times. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  7. Aamer Madhani (1 June 2005). "Anbar leader found dead after assault". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 31 August 2013.


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