Ali Habib Mahmud

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Ali Habib Mahmud
علي حبيب محمود
Mohammad Najji Outri
Adel Safar
Preceded byHasan Turkmani
Succeeded byDawoud Rajiha
19th Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army
In office
12 May 2004 – 3 June 2009
PresidentBashar al-Assad
Preceded byHasan Turkmani
Succeeded byDawoud Rajiha
Personal details
Born(1939-01-01)1 January 1939
Colonel General
Commands1st Armoured Division
7th Mechanized Division
Battles/wars

Ali Habib Mahmud (

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,[1] he was part of President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.[2]

Early life and education

Mahmud was born into an

Alawite family on 1 January 1939 in Tartus[3][4] and joined the army in 1959.[5] In 1962, he graduated from the military academy.[3]

Career

Mahmud fought in

On 3 June 2009,

Dawoud Rajha in the post.[5]

On 4 September 2013, the opposition wrongly claimed that Mahmud had defected and escaped to Turkey.[10] In fact, he remained in Syria.[1]

Sanctions

In May 2011, the United States accused Habib of human rights abuses, and announced a travel ban and asset freeze.[2]

Death

On 20 March 2020, Mahmud died in

Al Assad University Hospital, Damascus.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b Kamal Alam (23 January 2019). "Kissinger's Prophecy Fulfilled in Syria". War on the Rocks. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Bashar al-Assad's inner circle". BBC News. 18 May 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d وزير جديد للدفاع في سورية (in Arabic). BBC Arabic. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ a b c "Ex-Syrian DefMin Opposition to Hama crackdown led to firing – Sources". Asharq Alawsat. Damascus, London. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  6. ^ Solley, Maj. George C. (10 May 1987). The Israeli Experience In Lebanon, 1982-1985. War Since 1945 Seminar. Quantico, VA: Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
  7. ^ a b c "Who is Defence Minister Ali Habib Mahmoud?". Gulf News. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  8. ^ . Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Syria names former army chief new defence minister". Syria Today. July 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  10. ^ Exclusive: Former Syria defense minister defects in break with Assad. Reuters. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
  11. ^ "Former Syrian army chief Ali Habib dies aged 81". alaraby.co.uk. 20 March 2020.
Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Chief of Staff of Army
2002–2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of Staff of Army
2004–2009
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Defense
2009–2011
Succeeded by