Habis Majali | |
|---|---|
 Habis Majali in 1975 | |
| Native name | حابس المجالي |
| Born | 1914[1] 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 | Arab Legion Jordanian Armed Forces |
| Battles / wars | |
| Relations | Hazza' Majali (cousin) |
Habis Majali (Arabic:حابس المجالي; 1914 – April 22, 2001) was a Jordanianfield marshal, who served asChief of Staff of theJordanian Armed Forces from 1958 to 1975, as minister of defense from 1967 to 1968. He became a politician in his later life and served as a member of theJordanian Senate for 30 years from 1967 to 1997.
He commanded Jordan's forces against Israel during the1948 Arab–Israeli War (also known as the First Arab-Israeli War), theSix Day War in 1967 and theYom Kippur War in 1973; and against thePalestine Liberation Organization andSyria duringBlack September in 1970.[2] During the last 20 years of his life, he retired from the army and served as senator in theJordanian Parliament'supper chamber.[2]
Majali is considered to be Jordan's greatest military officers; he was the onlyArab general to inflict military victories against Israelis, Palestinians and Syrians alike.[3]King Hussein's biographer, James Lunt, dubbed Majali thegrand seigneur of Karak, and thebeau sabreur of the army.[4] Majali is one of few Jordanians, along with theKings of Jordan, to hold theField Marshal rank–thehighest rank in the Jordanian army.[5][6][7]
Habis Majali was born in 1914 inMa'an,Jordan, into the influential Majali tribe, known for its political and military leadership in southern Jordan. The Majalis were a prominentBedouin family in the Karak region, historically associated with Jordanian tribal leadership. From a young age, Habis displayed qualities of leadership that would later become the hallmark of his military career.[2] He joined theArab Legion in 1932, which was then under British command. His Bedouin roots and early experiences in Jordan’s tribal culture profoundly influenced his later military leadership.[8][9]
Habis Majali’s military career began with his service in theArab Legion, where he quickly impressedGlubb Pasha, the British officer who led the Legion. Majali was known for blending modern military techniques with Bedouin traditions of bravery.King Hussein's biographer, James Lunt, dubbed Majali thegrand seigneur of Karak andbeau sabreur of the army.[4] HabisPasha was the onlyArab commander to win military victories againstIsraelis,Palestinians andSyrians alike.[3] His "baptism of fire", according toThe Guardian obituary, came during the1948 Arab–Israeli War, when he successfully defended the town ofLatrun at the crucialBattle of Latrun nearJerusalem against Israeli forces, Israeli forces was one of the few Arab victories in the war, earning him widespread recognition. He also managed to secure theWest Bank under Glubb Pasha.[4][10][11]
Majali’s command extended into the 1950s, a period marked by political upheaval in Jordan. He served as Commander of theRoyal Guard in 1951 whenKing Abdullah I was assassinated atAl-Aqsa Mosque. Abdullah insisted on speaking to the crowds on his way to the mosque, but Majali thought it was too dangerous and ordered soldiers to surround the King–angering him. The King moved ahead of his guards, and was shot dead by a Palestinian. This event highlights his protective instincts toward the monarchy.[12][2] Majali claimed that he had caughtAriel Sharon in the battle, who was then a young Lieutenant. Sharon, who would later become Israeli prime minister, denied the claim. However, Habis boasted: "Sharon is like a grizzly bear, I captured him for 9 days, I healed his wounds and released him due to his insignificance." Few fellow high-ranking Jordanian officers testified in favor of his account.[4] Throughout the decade, Majali remained a critical figure, tasked byKing Hussein to root outNasserite insurgents and maintain internal stability. Majali was tasked in 1960 with restoring order after Syrian agents had murdered his cousin Prime MinisterHazza' Majali.[4]
In 1967, Majali led Jordanian forces during theSix-Day War againstIsrael. The war resulted in the loss of theWest Bank, but Majali’s leadership was seen as steadfast, although he resigned shortly after the defeat. He briefly served asminister of defense before returning to military leadership duringBlack September in 1970,[2] where he oversaw the expulsion of Palestinianfedayeen forces from Jordan. His efforts helped preserve theHashemite monarchy during this volatile period.
Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel during the 1967Six Day War. Majali was forced during the war to relinquish Jordan's army command to Egypt. He then resigned, but served as defense minister until 1968.[2]
Though Jordan did not engage directly on the frontlines during theYom Kippur War of 1973, Majali’s leadership was instrumental in maintaining border security. Military historians, such asTrevor N. Dupuy, praised the Jordanian Army's tactical proficiency during the conflict, noting that it outperformed other Arab forces, specifically those of Syria and Iraq.[2] Majali retired from active military service in 1975 after 17 years as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, leaving a legacy of military professionalism and dedication.
After retiring from the military, Majali transitioned into a political role, serving as asenator in Jordan'supper chamber of Parliament for 30 years. During this time, he remained a close advisor to bothKing Hussein and laterKing Abdullah II, contributing to the nation's military and political strategies. Majali’s experience and wisdom continued to shape Jordan’s defense policies long after his active service ended.[2]
Majali was deeply rooted in Jordan’s Bedouin culture, which informed his leadership style and earned him respect both as a military leader and as a defender of theHashemite monarchy. His family played significant roles in Jordanian politics, including his cousinHazza' Majali, who served asprime minister before his assassination in 1960. Known as the "Grand Seigneur of Karak," Majali's contributions to Jordanian military and political life are remembered with reverence. His military legacy is highlighted by his tactical victories and his defense of Jordan's territorial integrity.
Majali was one of the few Jordanians to achieve the rank of field marshal, the highest military rank in Jordan. He was honored with several awards throughout his career, including the titles of:
Malaysia : Honorary Commander of theOrder of the Defender of the Realm (1965)[13]His enduring legacy is celebrated both within Jordan and internationally as a symbol of national strength and leadership.