Ali Habib Mahmud
| Ali Habib Mahmud علي حبيب محمود |
|
|---|---|
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office 3 June 2009 – 8 August 2011 |
|
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Prime Minister | Mohammad Najji Outri Adel Safar |
| Preceded by | Hasan Turkmani |
| Succeeded by | Dawoud Rajiha |
| Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army | |
| In office 3 June 2004 – 3 June 2009 |
|
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Preceded by | Hasan Turkmani |
| Succeeded by | Dawoud Rajiha |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1939 Tartus, Syria |
| Political party | Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party |
| Religion | Alawite |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Army of Syria |
| Years of service | 1959–2011 |
| Rank |  Colonel General |
| Commands | 7th Mechanized Division |
| Battles/wars | Yom Kippur War Lebanese Civil War Gulf War |
Ali Habib Mahmud (Arabic: علي حبيب محمود) (born 1 January 1939) is a Syrian military officer who served as Syria's minister of defense from June 2009 to August 2011. He was part of Assad's inner circle.[1] In September 2013, the Syrian opposition claimed that he defected and is now staying in Turkey.[2][3]
Early life and education
Mahmud was born into an Alawite family on 1 January 1939 in Tartus[4][5] and joined the army in 1959.[6] In 1962, he graduated from the military academy.[4]
Career
Mahmud fought in the 1973 October War against Israel. He also led forces against Israeli troops invading Lebanon in 1982. He commanded 7th mechanized infantry in 1985.[5] In 1986, Mahmud became a general.[7] He also participated in the Gulf War as part of the international coalition to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1990.[1] In 1994, he was appointed commander of the special forces.[6] In 1998, he was promoted to the rank of major general.[7] He was appointed deputy chief of staff in 2002. On 12 May 2004, he was appointed chief of general staff of the Syrian army and the armed forces.[4][8] He replaced Hasan Turkmani, who was appointed defense minister.[8] In addition, Mahmud is a member of the Baath Party.[7]
On 3 June 2009, president Bashar Assad appointed Mahmud as defense minister, replacing again Hasan Turkmani.[4][9] Mahmud's term ended on 8 August 2011, and he was replaced by Dawoud Rajha in the post.[6]
On 4 September 2013, opposition claimed that Mahmud had defected to the opposition and escaped to Turkey.[10]
Sanctions
In May 2011, the United States accused Habib of human rights abuses, and announced a travel ban and asset freeze.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ News Flash. Ynet.co.il. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
- ↑ Ex-Syria Defense Chief Defection Hurts Assad: Opposition. Businessweek. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Exclusive: Former Syria defense minister defects in break with Assad. Reuters. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Deputy Chief of Staff of Army 2002–2004 |
Succeeded by Dawoud Rajiha |
| Preceded by | Chief of Staff of Army 2004–2009 |
Succeeded by Dawoud Rajiha |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Defense 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by Dawoud Rajiha |
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