Nouri al-Maliki served as the prime minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2014, navigating the country's turbulent post-Saddam era. A career politician associated with the Islamic Dawa Party, he functioned as a central figure in the state apparatus during both the American-led occupation and the subsequent withdrawal of international coalition forces, shaping internal governance and security policies.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1950 in Al-Hindiya, al-Maliki attended school locally before moving to Baghdad. He pursued higher education at the University of Baghdad and Salahaddin University-Erbil. These formative years preceded his long-term involvement in dissident activities against the government of Saddam Hussein, which necessitated his departure from Iraq in 1979.
Exile and Political Development
Following a death sentence, al-Maliki lived in exile for 24 years. During this period, he resided in Syria and Iran, operating under the pseudonym Jawad. He served as a senior leader for the Islamic Dawa Party, managing party communications and coordinating anti-Saddam efforts. He returned to Iraq in 2003 following the fall of the Ba'athist regime.
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Al-Maliki was appointed prime minister in 2006, leading the first post-Saddam full-term administration. Throughout his tenure, he held concurrent cabinet roles, including acting Minister of Interior from 2006 and again between 2010 and 2014, as well as Minister of Defense from 2010 to 2011. He officially resigned from the premiership in August 2014.
Post-Premiership Positions
After vacating the office of prime minister, al-Maliki remained active in the upper tiers of the Iraqi government. He served as Vice President of Iraq during two distinct periods, first from 2014 to 2015 and subsequently from 2016 to 2018. His career continues within the context of the political structures he helped define after 2003.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Al-Hindiya
- Political Party: Islamic Dawa Party
- Prime Minister of Iraq: 2007-2014
- Vice President of Iraq: 2014-2015, 2016-2018
- Minister of Interior: 2006, 2010-2014
- Minister of Defense: 2010-2011
- Education: University of Baghdad and Salahaddin University-Erbil
- Languages: Arabic and Persian
Questions readers ask
What years was Nouri al-Maliki prime minister?
He served as prime minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2014.
Did al-Maliki hold other government cabinet positions?
Yes, he served as Minister of Interior in 2006 and again from 2010 to 2014, and as Minister of Defense from 2010 to 2011.
What was his role after his time as prime minister?
He served as a Vice President of Iraq from 2014 to 2015 and again from 2016 to 2018.
Achievements
- Prime Minister of Iraq (2007–2014)
- Minister of Interior of Iraq (2006–2006)
- Minister of Interior of Iraq (2010–2014)
- Minister of Defense (2010–2011)
- Educated at University of Baghdad and Salahaddin University-Erbil
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