Abd al-Karim Barjas

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 Rawa, Iraq
Died	14 June 2022 (Aged 75) Baghdad, Iraq
Political party	Independent
Children	Seven
Residence(s)	Ramadi, Iraq
Alma mater	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]