HABIS MAJALI

THE BEDOUIN OFFICER WHO DEFEATED THE ISRAELI FORCES AT LATRUN 1914-2001 TRANSJORDAN

Born in the city of Ma’an in what is now southern Jordan, Majali joined the Kingdom of Transjordan’s Arab Legion in 1932. Brave and canny, he impressed John Bagot Glubb, the commander of Transjordan’s armed forces, and was a lieutenant colonel by 1948. Although the Arab Legion was founded in 1920, it took over 20 years before Majali became the first Arab commander of one of the Legion’s regiments.

In this capacity, he commanded the Legion’s 4th Regiment during the Arab-israeli War. During the battles for the Jewish-held besieged village of Latrun that were fought between May-july 1948, Majali’s troops repulsed several Israeli attacks on Arab Legion hill positions. Although the Israelis managed to continue supplying Latrun and keep Legion forces away from Jerusalem, Majali was able to return to Amman as a victor. Regarded as the greatest Jordanian military leader, Majali later became a field marshal, and was the only Arab commander to inflict victories against Israeli, Palestinian and Syrian forces during various conflicts.

After the Arab-israeli War, Majali commanded Jordanian forces during the Six Day War, Yom Kippur War and a conflict against Palestinian and Syrian forces known as ‘Black September’