Habis Majali
Habis Majali (Arabic: حابس المجالي; 1914 – April 22, 2001) was a Jordanian general. Majali served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces from 1958 to 1975, as Minister of Defense from 1967 to 1968, and as a member of the Jordanian Senate for 30 years from 1967 to 1997.
Habis Majali | |
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Habis Majali in 1975 | |
| Native name | حابس المجالي |
| Born | 1914 Ma'an, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | April 22, 2001 (aged 86–87) Al Karak, Jordan |
| Allegiance | Jordan |
| Years of service | 1932–1981 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Commands held | Arab Legion Jordanian Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars |
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| Relations | Hazza' Majali (cousin) |
Born in Ma'an, Majali joined Jordan's Arab Legion in 1932, reportedly gaining a reputation of bravery and canniness. He commanded Jordan's forces against Israel during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War (also known as the First Arab-Israeli War), the Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973; and against the Palestine Liberation Organization and Syria during Black September in 1970. During the last 20 years of his life, he resigned from the army and served as Senator in the Jordanian Parliament's upper chamber.
Majali is considered to be Jordan's greatest military commander; he was the only Arab commander to inflict military victories against Israelis, Palestinians and Syrians alike. King Hussein's biographer, James Lunt, dubbed Majali the grand seigneur of Karak, and the beau sabreur of the army. Majali is one of few Jordanians, along with the Kings of Jordan, to hold the Field Marshal rank–the highest rank in the Jordanian army.