 Abu Nuwar was a major opponent of Iraq's Hashemite rulers (relatives of Hussein) and that country's pro-British prime minister, Nuri al-Said.Abu Nuwar's opposition was driven by suspicions that the Iraqis sought to oust him from his military post, while King Abd al-Ilah and al-Said mutually regarded Abu Nuwar with suspicion.Abu Nuwar's influence with Hussein was likely a major reason Jordan resisted Iraqi attempts to merge the two Hashemite-ruled countries.