Nineveh Governor signs off on dismissal of 14 administrators amid political divisions

MOSUL, Iraq — Nineveh Governor Abdelqader al-Dakhil approved a series of administrative changes that had been delayed due to legal challenges before the Administrative Court. This decision sees 14 district administrators and subdistrict directors relieved of their duties, marking a significant transformation in the province’s leadership.

Reshuffling of Key Administrative Positions

The governor’s directive, issued yesterday, removed four district administrators and ten subdistrict directors in compliance with rulings from the Supreme Administrative Court. Among those affected are District Administrator of Baghded (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniya) Issam Behnam Matti, Director of Bartella Subdistrict Ali Mohammed Fathi, and Director of Bashiqa Subdistrict Ghazwan Hamed Hamid.

Political Divisions in Provincial Council

These administrative changes come months after the Nineveh Provincial Council implemented a controversial series of appointments and dismissals in July, decisions made without the participation of the Unified Nineveh Bloc. The Council’s actions have deepened internal divisions, resulting in two rival factions.

On one side is the Unified Nineveh Bloc, comprising Sunni representatives and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which temporarily suspended council sessions in protest. On the other side is the Future Nineveh Bloc, which holds 16 seats and includes members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The Council itself is made up of 29 members, including three elected through quota representation for the Christian, Yezidi, and Shabak communities. The KDP holds four seats, while the PUK controls two, reflecting the fragmented and politically charged nature of the governing body.

As the dust settles from these administrative reshuffles, the real test will be whether the new leadership can navigate the province’s complex political landscape and address the pressing needs of Nineveh’s diverse communities.