Mahmud Dhiyab
Encyclopedia
Mahmud Dhiyab al-Ahmad is a former Iraqi diplomat, who held several cabinet-level positions.
Dhiyab was Iraq's Minister of Agriculture during the Gulf War
. In September of 1991, he became involved in a dispute with Hussein Kamel al-Majid, Iraq's Minister of Defense, over the reconstruction of Baghdad
's Republic Bridge. In the mid-1990s, Dhiyab served as Iraq's Minister of Housing and Reconstruction. He later became Minister of Irrigation, during which time he was a central figure in negotiations with Turkey
and Syria
over water rights. Dhiyab succeeded Muhammad Zimam Abd al-Razzaq as Iraq's Interior Minister on May 28, 2001, with Abd al-Razzaq stepping down in order to devote more time to his work as head of the Ba'th Party in Kirkuk
and Niniveh. Rasul Abd-al-Husayn al-Swadi succeeded Dhiyab as Minister of Irrigation. As a result of the Iraq War, Dhiyab was removed from power with the rest of Hussein's regime. After the invasion, he was listed as the seven of spades on the most-wanted Iraqi playing cards
. American forces announced that they had captured Dhiyab on July 9, 2003, but this proved to be an error. The real Dhiyab surrendered himself on August 9, 2003. During Dhiyab's time in captivity, he autographed a playing card bearing his likeness for one of his jailers, Sergeant Mark Heinbaugh, adding the inscription "with my respect".
Dhiyab was Iraq's Minister of Agriculture during the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. In September of 1991, he became involved in a dispute with Hussein Kamel al-Majid, Iraq's Minister of Defense, over the reconstruction of Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
's Republic Bridge. In the mid-1990s, Dhiyab served as Iraq's Minister of Housing and Reconstruction. He later became Minister of Irrigation, during which time he was a central figure in negotiations with Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
over water rights. Dhiyab succeeded Muhammad Zimam Abd al-Razzaq as Iraq's Interior Minister on May 28, 2001, with Abd al-Razzaq stepping down in order to devote more time to his work as head of the Ba'th Party in Kirkuk
Kirkuk
Kirkuk is a city in Iraq and the capital of Kirkuk Governorate.It is located in the Iraqi governorate of Kirkuk, north of the capital, Baghdad...
and Niniveh. Rasul Abd-al-Husayn al-Swadi succeeded Dhiyab as Minister of Irrigation. As a result of the Iraq War, Dhiyab was removed from power with the rest of Hussein's regime. After the invasion, he was listed as the seven of spades on the most-wanted Iraqi playing cards
Most-wanted Iraqi playing cards
In the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition, the U.S. military developed a set of playing cards to help troops identify the most-wanted members of President Saddam Hussein's government, mostly high-ranking Baath Party members or members of the Revolutionary Command Council...
. American forces announced that they had captured Dhiyab on July 9, 2003, but this proved to be an error. The real Dhiyab surrendered himself on August 9, 2003. During Dhiyab's time in captivity, he autographed a playing card bearing his likeness for one of his jailers, Sergeant Mark Heinbaugh, adding the inscription "with my respect".