Career
Mahmud began his military career as an non-commissioned officer in the Iraqi Army. He rose through the ranks to Lieutenant General, becoming part of Saddam Hussein's personal bodyguard, and finally, his personal secretary. A distant cousin of Saddam Hussein, observers regarded Mahmud as being Hussein's right-hand man.
He always maintained constant contact with Hussein and acted as a gatekeeper, controlling access to him. He was trusted with Saddam's son Qusay Hussein, in overseeing the Iraqi Special Security Organization. At the time it was recognized as the "greatest success" since the end of major hostilities, and a sign that Saddam Hussein might soon be found.
On April 29, 2008, he appeared before the Iraq Special Tribunal set up by the Iraq Interim Government and stood trial with six others including Tariq Aziz, Ali Hassan al-Majid, Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and Sabbawi Ibrahim al-Hassan. On June 7, 2012, he was executed by hanging, according to a spokesman of the Iraqi Ministry of Justice.