Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi

Mahalawi was originally from Qaim in Al Anbar Governorate. He served as Mayor of the town during the tenure of Saddam Hussein.[1]

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]

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 Saudis, and 1 was a Moroccan.[5]

Following al-Mahalawi's death the Provincial Council elected Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani as his successor.[2]