Known by the code name of Za'eem Ali, Othman's post is one of the most significant in KDP ranks. Under his jurisdiction falls the city of Arbil, the largest in Iraqi Kurdistan where nearly one million people live. Hariri was the highest KDP official to have been assassinated in recent years. A Syriac Christian, Hariri was a confidant of Massoud's father Mulla Mustafa. After years of infighting, the two factions are said to be warming up again.
Efforts are underway to organize elections for a new parliament and a joint regional government.
The Kurds wrested control of most parts of their region since shortly after the 1991 gulf War over Kuwait. Currently, they run their own affairs away from the central authority in Baghdad. Born in Arbil in 1949, Othman joined KDP before enrolling in the Iraqi military academy in 1970. He graduated in 1972 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. But he deserted the army in 1974 to join a Kurdish revolt mounted by Mulla Mustafa Barzani the same year.