Ali Habib Mahmud
| |
|---|---|
علي حبيب محمود
| |
Mahmud in 1990
| |
| 14th 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 |
| 19th Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army | |
| In office 12 May 2004 – 3 June 2009 | |
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Preceded by | Hasan Turkmani |
| Succeeded by | Dawoud Rajiha |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1939-01-01)1 January 1939 Tartus, First Syrian Republic |
| Died | 20 March 2020(2020-03-20) (aged 81) Damascus, Syria |
| Political party | Ba'ath Party |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Syria |
| Branch/service | Syrian Army |
| Years of service | 1959–2011 |
| Rank |  Colonel General |
| Commands | 1st Armoured Division 7th Mechanized Division |
| Battles/wars |
|
| |
Ali Habib Mahmud (Arabic: علي حبيب محمود; 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,[1] he was part of President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.[2]
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]
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.[6] He commanded 7th mechanized infantry in 1985.[4] In 1986, Mahmud became a general.[7] He also participated in the Gulf War as part of the international coalition that liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1991.[2] In 1994, he was appointed commander of the special forces.[5] 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.[3][8] He replaced Hasan Turkmani, who was appointed defense minister.[8] In addition, Mahmud was a member of the Baath Party.[7]
On 3 June 2009, President Bashar Assad appointed Mahmud as defense minister, replacing again Hasan Turkmani.[3][9] Mahmud's term ended on 8 August 2011, and he was replaced by 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]
In May 2011, the United States accused Habib of human rights abuses, and announced a travel ban and asset freeze.[2]
On 20 March 2020, Mahmud died in Al Assad University Hospital, Damascus.[11]
| 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 |
|
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Syria (1920) |
|
|
| French Mandate of Syria (1920–1946) post established 1932 |
| |
| Second Syrian Republic (1946–1958) |
| |
| United Arab Republic (1958–1961) |
| |
| Second Syrian Republic (1961–1963) |
| |
| Syrian Arab Republic (1963–Present) post 1963 Syrian coup d'état |
| |
|
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
| |
