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Ali Habib Mahmud
Syrian military officer (1939–2020)
Syrian military officer (1939–2020)
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| honorific-prefix | Colonel General | |
| name | Ali Habib Mahmud | |
| native_name | {{Script/Arabic | علي حبيب محمود}} |
| native_name_lang | ar | |
| image | Ali Habib in 1990.JPEG | |
| caption | Mahmud in 1990 | |
| office | 14th Minister of Defense | |
| term_start | 3 June 2009 | |
| term_end | 8 August 2011 | |
| president | Bashar al-Assad | |
| primeminister | Mohammad Najji Outri | |
| Adel Safar | ||
| predecessor | Hasan Turkmani | |
| successor | Dawoud Rajiha | |
| office2 | 19th Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army | |
| term_start2 | 12 May 2004 | |
| term_end2 | 3 June 2009 | |
| president2 | Bashar al-Assad | |
| predecessor2 | Hasan Turkmani | |
| successor2 | Dawoud Rajiha | |
| rank | [[File:Syrian Arab Army General Army Ranks Services Uniform.png | 30px]] Colonel General |
| allegiance | United Arab Republic (1959–1961) | |
| Flag of Syria (1930–1958, 1961–1963).svg Second Syrian Republic (1961–1963) | ||
| Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg Ba'athist Syria (1963–2011) | ||
| serviceyears | 1959–2011 | |
| commands | 1st Armoured Division | |
| 7th Mechanized Division | ||
| 14th Special Forces Division | ||
| battles | ||
| birth_date | ||
| birth_place | Tartus, Syria | |
| death_date | ||
| death_place | Damascus, Syria | |
| party | Ba'ath Party | |
| branch |
| honorific-prefix = Colonel General | honorific-suffix = Adel Safar Flag of Syria (1930–1958, 1961–1963).svg Second Syrian Republic (1961–1963) Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg Ba'athist Syria (1963–2011) 7th Mechanized Division 14th Special Forces Division
- Six-Day War
- Yom Kippur War
- Lebanese Civil War
- 1982 Lebanon War
- Battle of Sultan Yacoub
- 1982 Lebanon War
- Gulf War Ali Habib Mahmud (; 1 January 1939 – 20 March 2020) was a Syrian military officer who served as Syria's minister of defense from June 2009 to August 2011. As one of Syria's most celebrated generals, he was part of President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.
Early life and education
Mahmud was born into an Alawite family on 1 January 1939 in Tartus and joined the army in 1959. In 1962, he graduated from the military academy.
Career
Mahmud fought in Yom Kippur War against Israel. As a commander of the 1st Division, he also led forces against Israeli troops invading Lebanon in 1982, including the Battle of Sultan Yacoub. He commanded 7th mechanized infantry in 1985. In 1986, Mahmud became a general. He also participated in the Gulf War as part of the international coalition that liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1991. In 1994, he was appointed commander of the special forces. He replaced Hasan Turkmani, who was appointed defense minister. In addition, Mahmud was a member of the Baath Party.
On 3 June 2009, President Bashar al-Assad appointed Mahmud as defense minister, replacing again Hasan Turkmani. Mahmud's term ended on 8 August 2011, and he was replaced by Dawoud Rajha in the post.
On 4 September 2013, the opposition wrongly claimed that Mahmud had defected and escaped to Turkey. In fact, he remained in Syria.
Sanctions
In May 2011, the United States accused Habib of human rights abuses, and announced a travel ban and asset freeze.
Death
On 20 March 2020, Mahmud died in Al Assad University Hospital, Damascus.
References
References
- Kamal Alam. (23 January 2019). "Kissinger's Prophecy Fulfilled in Syria".
- (18 May 2011). "Bashar al-Assad's inner circle". BBC News.
- BBC Arabic. (3 June 2009). link
- Solley, Maj. George C.. (May 10, 1987). "The Israeli Experience In Lebanon, 1982-1985". Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
- Hanna Batatu. (1999). "Syria's Peasantry, the Descendants of Its Lesser Rural Notables, and Their Politics". Princeton University Press.
- (17 June 2011). "Who is Defence Minister Ali Habib Mahmoud?". Gulf News.
- Flynt Lawrence Leverett. (1 January 2005). "Inheriting Syria: Bashar's Trial by Fire". Brookings Institution Press.
- (July 2009). "Syria names former army chief new defence minister". Syria Today.
- (9 August 2011). "Ex-Syrian DefMin Opposition to Hama crackdown led to firing – Sources". Asharq Alawsat.
- [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-defection-idUSBRE9830O420130904?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&dlvrit=992637 Exclusive: Former Syria defense minister defects in break with Assad]. Reuters. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
- (20 March 2020). "Former Syrian army chief Ali Habib dies aged 81".
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