Majali, Habes al-

▪ 2002

      Jordanian field marshall (b. 1913?—d. April 22, 2001, Amman, Jordan), was one of Jordan's most successful military leaders. Majali joined the army in 1932 and in 1948 led an Arab force that defeated Israeli troops near Latrun. He was placed in charge of the personal guard for Jordan's King Abdullah in 1949, though he failed to prevent the king's assassination two years later. This failure did not destroy his career, however, and in 1957 King Hussein named him armed forces chief of staff. Majali served Hussein as defense minister from June 1967 until 1970, when he was reappointed commander of the army in order to crush a Palestinian uprising. He also commanded troops in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. After retiring from the army, Majali was appointed to the upper house of the parliament.

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