Amin Hamid Howeidi (Arabic: أمين حامد هويدي; 22 September 1921–31 October 2009) was an Egyptian military leader, author and minister of war under Nasser's rule.
Amin Howeidi | |
|---|---|
| Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate | |
| In office August 1967 – April 1970 | |
| President | Gamal Abdel Nasser |
| Preceded by | Salah Nasr |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Hafez Ismail |
| Minister of War | |
| In office 22 July 1967 – 24 February 1968 | |
| President | Gamal Abdel Nasser |
| Preceded by | Shams Badran |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Fawzi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Amin Hamid Howeidi 22 September 1921 Munufiya, Sultanate of Egypt |
| Died | 31 October 2009 (aged 88) |
| Alma mater | |
Early life and education edit
Howeidi was born in Munufiya on 22 September 1921.[1] He attended the Egyptian Military Academy and graduated in 1940.[2] He held a master's degree in military sciences from the Chief of Staff College which he received in 1951.[2] Then he attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth and obtained another master's degree in military sciences in 1955.[2] Next, he obtained a master's degree in translation, press and publication from Cairo University in 1956.[2]
Career edit
After his graduation Howeidi began to work as a teacher at the Military Academy.[2] Later, he became a professor at the Military Chief of Staff College.[2] In addition, he served as the head of military operations planning in the Armed Forces Command.[2] He was part of the Free Officers who inaugurated the 1952 revolution in Egypt.[2] Then he began to hold public posts. His offices included ambassador to Morocco (1962–1963), ambassador to Iraq (1963–1965),[3] minister of national guidance (1965–1966), and minister of state for cabinet affairs (1966–1967).[2]
Howeidi was appointed minister of war and director of general intelligence by Gamal Abdel Nasser after the defeat of Egypt in the Six-Day War.[3] His term as minister of war began on 22 July 1967, replacing Shams Badran in the post.[4][5] Howeidi's term ended on 24 February 1968,[2] and he was succeeded by Mohammed Fawzi as defense minister.[5][6] Howeidi served as director of general intelligence from 1967 to 1970.[2]
Arrest edit
In 1971, Howeidi was detained along with 91 others accused of treason, and then tried at the Revolutionary Tribunal. He was sentenced to house arrest for nearly 10 years.[2]
Personal life and death edit
Howeidi was married and had two children, a daughter and a son.[7] He died on 31 October 2009 at the age of 88.[1]
Publications and views edit
Howeidi was the author of various books, including How Zionist Leaders Think, Lost Opportunities, 50 Years of Storms: Telling What I saw and The 1967 War: The Secrets and Mysteries.[1] In addition, he wrote op-eds for Al Ahram Weekly.[8]
Howeidi was optimistic about Arab-Israeli conflict and believed that the Clinton administration was sincere in its efforts to solve the conflict.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Egyptian Figures". SIS. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Abdel Moneim Said (12–18 November 2009). "Amin Howeidi and Mustafa Mahmoud". Al Ahram Weekly. No. 972. Archived from the original on 19 November 2009.
- ^ a b Gamal Nkrumah (5–11 November 2009). "Obituary Amin Howeidi (1921-2009) Vexed, not villainous". Al Ahram Weekly. Vol. 971. Archived from the original on 11 November 2009.
- ^ "Nasser picks new aide". Eugene Register Guard. AP. 21 July 1967. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Former Ministers of War and Defense". Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "General Mohammed Fawzi". Edward Fox. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ Gamal Nkrumah (2–8 August 2007). "Amin Howeidi: Learning from the revolution". Al Ahram Weekly. Vol. 856. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007.
- ^ Amin Howeidi (23 November 2008). "Choose your region". Al Arabiya. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ Zafar Bangash (1 May 1998). "Reflecting on the future of the resistance to Zionist occupation in Lebanon". Crescent International. Retrieved 6 January 2024.