Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil
Governor of Iraq's Nineveh province; cancelled Mosul Airport contracts over alleged militia links.
Nineveh governor Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil scrapped three Mosul Airport contracts on the night of 7 November 2026, citing alleged ties to armed groups. He moved after talks in Baghdad with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and a Court of Appeal chief judge.
Last refreshed: 8 November 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Which armed groups held Mosul airport contracts, and why won't Nineveh name them?
Timeline for Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil
Cancelled three contracts at Mosul airport
Iran Conflict 2026: Nineveh scraps three Mosul airport dealsBackground
Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil is governor of Iraq's Nineveh province, whose capital is Mosul. He became acting governor in November 2023, and the provincial council elected him governor in February 2024.
On the night of 7 November 2026 he voided three agreements at the city's airport, citing the holders' alleged ties to armed groups. He took the step after sitting down in Baghdad with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and a chief judge of the Court of Appeal, so the decision carried the backing of the federal government.
Al-Dakhil put the blame on the federal Transport Ministry, which he says signed the deals without telling the provincial government. Al-Dakhil named no group or company. US envoy Tom Barrack said the prime minister was sending a clear message about militias.
Why were Mosul airport contracts cancelled?
Who is the governor of Nineveh?
Who will run Mosul airport services now?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 8 November 2026. Editorial standards.