Mahmoud Da'as (Arabic: مَحمود دَعّاس, also known by his kunyaAbu Khalid;[1] 1934 – 2009) was a high-ranking commander of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), serving as long-time member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council and Supreme Military Council. Born in northern Palestine, Da'as grew up in Jordan where he joined the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF). Educated as military engineer, he was eventually appointed lieutenant colonel and head of the Jordanian Engineering Corps' 2nd Battalion. Da'as joined the PLO in 1967, and defected from the JAF during the Black September of 1970. He consequently rose in the ranks of the PLO, and became an important military commander in the Arab–Israeli conflict, taking part in missions in Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, and Uganda. Following the Oslo I Accord, Da'as became President Yasser Arafat's personal military advisor and a deputy in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Early life and service in the Jordanian Armed Forces
Mahmoud Da'as was born to ethnic Palestinian parents in Hajjah, a village located in the Qalqilya District of Mandatory Palestine.[2][3] Soon after his birth, his family relocated to the Jordianian city of al-Karak, where his father found work as policeman in the British-led security forces. Da'as completed his primary and secondary education in al-Karak, and then joined the Royal Jordanian Army's academy. He qualified as military engineer, and was sent for further training to Great Britain as well as the United States.[2]
After completing his training, Da'as joined the Jordanian Engineering Corps and gradually rose in the ranks. He was appointed commander of the 7th Company in the corps' 2nd Battalion, and was promoted to head of the entire 2nd Battalion and lieutenant colonel. In 1957, he was arrested due to suspicions about his involvement in an alleged military coup attempt. After his innocence was proven, he was released.[2] Da'as was again temporarily arrested in 1966, and joined the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in the following year.[3]
Service in the PLO
In 1970, war broke out between the previously allied Jordanian government under King Hussein and the PLO led by Yasser Arafat. This conflict became known as the "Black September", and resulted in the desertion of many Jordanian soldiers of Palestinian descent. Mahmoud was one of those who sided with the PLO,[2] and defected in Jerash.[3] He was appointed deputy commander of the PLO's so-called "Yarmouk Forces". Serving under Saad Sayel, he consequently battled against his former comrades in the Royal Jordanian Army.[2][3] The PLO was defeated, and ousted from Jordan by mid-1971. Mahmoud relocated to Syria, where he took part in Fatah's third conference at Hamouriyah in September 1971. He was appointed member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah during this conference, and promoted to commander of the Yarmouk Forces in 1972.[2] He consequently assumed command of PLO troops stationed in Mount Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.[3] As experienced military engineer,[2] he was responsible for the construction of fortifications for Palestinian militants.[4]
Mahmoud Da'as unsuccessfully fought to save the Ugandan regime of Idi Amin (pictured) during the Uganda–Tanzania War.
In the late 1970s, the PLO faced a crisis relating to its affairs in Africa. The organisation had forged a strong alliance with Uganda under Idi Amin, establishing bases in the country where it trained about 400 fighters.[5] When the Uganda–Tanzania War broke out in 1978, the Uganda Army quickly proved incapable in the face of the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF), and Amin's regime began to collapse. The PLO high command was alarmed, fearing that the end of Amin's government would result in the ouster of the Palestinian militants from Uganda. The PLO consequently opted to fight alongside the Uganda Army and sent further reinforcements. Despite being aided by the PLO and Libya, the Uganda Army was completely defeated in the Battle of Lukaya on 10–11 March 1979. Most PLO field commanders were wounded at Lukaya, whereupon Da'as was appointed replacement commander for Uganda. Realizing that the war was lost, he divided his remaining troops into two groups. One secured an escape route to Sudan, whereas the other took up defensive positions at Uganda's capital Kampala.[4] In late March, PLO troops were part of the garrison which attempted to defend the strategic town of Mpigi.[6] The Tanzanians began their attack on Kampala on 10 April 1979, and the PLO troops under Da'as reportedly resisted some time before retreating northward. He managed to bring his surviving men to Sudan despite being hindered by bad roads, a hostile population, and dangerous wildlife.[4]
Da'as was appointed member of the Supreme Military Council of the Palestinian Revolution[a] during Fatah's fourth conference in Damascus in May 1980.[2][4] He was also sent to East Germany, where he signed an agreement with General Helmut Borufka, inspector general of the National People's Army, on 19 April 1982. According to this agreement, the East German military would provide training to 20 PLO artillery commanders and technicians.[7] In the next month, Israel invaded Lebanon, starting the 1982 Lebanon War. In course of this conflict, Da'as served as Director of Officer Affairs and Fortifications and took part in the fighting against the Israel Defense Forces, including during the Siege of Beirut.[3]
Following the war, he became Commander in Chief of the Palestinian Revolution Forces. By 1983, he also headed PLO special operations in Sudan and Yemen.[2][4] Da'as was appointed External Security Officer in the PLO's Political Department in 1985,[2] and was brigadier by the following year.[1] He subsequently rose to major general and was promoted to head of the Security and Intelligence Committee in 1993. As result of the Oslo I Accord, Da'as and the rest of the PLO leadership was able to return to Palestine in 1994, and he became a candidate in the 1996 Palestinian general election. He was elected deputy in the Palestinian Legislative Council, holding a seat until 2005.[2] President Yasser Arafat made him his military advisor and a member of Palestine's Supreme National Security Council. Da'as continued to take part in important military and diplomatic missions in the name of the PLO and Fatah.[2][3]
Having fallen terminally sick, Da'as moved to Jordan for treatment where he died[2] in 2009.[8] He was buried with full military honors[2] at his birthplace of Hajjah. The funeral was attended by several high-ranking Palestinian politicians and military officers as well as thousands of locals.[8]
^ abcdefghijklmnJanan Osama al-Salwadi (28 November 2017). "ذكرى رحيل اللواء الركن محمود دعاس "أبو خالد"" [Anniversary of the departure of Major General Mahmoud Daas, "Abu Khaled"]. Amad.ps (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
^ abcdefg""مركزية" فتح تنعى اللواء محمود دعاس" [Central Committee of Fatah mourns Major General Mahmoud Daas]. Al-Hayat al-Jadida (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
^ abcdeJanan Osama al-Salwadi (27 February 2017). "مهمّة "فتح" في أوغندا" [Fatah's mission in Uganda]. Al Akhbar (Lebanon) (in Arabic). Retrieved 6 October 2019.
^ ab"الالاف يشيعون اللواء الدعاس بقلقيلية" [Thousands are mourning General Al-Daas in Qalqilya]. Ma'an News Agency (in Arabic). 1 December 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
Works cited
Alexander, Yonah (1986). The ... Annual on Terrorism. Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. ISBN9789024736089.
Amos, John W. II (1980). Palestinian Resistance: Organization of a Nationalist Movement. New York City: Pergamon Press. ISBN0-08-025094-7.
Herf, Jeffrey (2016). Undeclared Wars with Israel: East Germany and the West German Far Left, 1967–1989. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN978-1107089860.
Reid, Richard J. (2017). A History of Modern Uganda. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN978-1-107-06720-2.
January 21, 2023
mahmoud, arabic, حمود, اس, also, known, kunya, khalid, 1934, 2009, high, ranking, commander, palestine, liberation, organisation, serving, long, time, member, fatah, revolutionary, council, supreme, military, council, born, northern, palestine, grew, jordan, w. Mahmoud Da as Arabic م حمود د ع اس also known by his kunya Abu Khalid 1 1934 2009 was a high ranking commander of the Palestine Liberation Organisation PLO serving as long time member of Fatah s Revolutionary Council and Supreme Military Council Born in northern Palestine Da as grew up in Jordan where he joined the Jordanian Armed Forces JAF Educated as military engineer he was eventually appointed lieutenant colonel and head of the Jordanian Engineering Corps 2nd Battalion Da as joined the PLO in 1967 and defected from the JAF during the Black September of 1970 He consequently rose in the ranks of the PLO and became an important military commander in the Arab Israeli conflict taking part in missions in Lebanon Yemen Sudan and Uganda Following the Oslo I Accord Da as became President Yasser Arafat s personal military advisor and a deputy in the Palestinian Legislative Council Mahmoud Da asNickname s Abu KhalidBorn1934Hajjah Qalqilya Mandatory PalestineDied2009 aged 74 75 JordanAllegiance Jordan Palestine Liberation Organisation PLO Service wbr branchJordanian Armed Forces JAF FatahRankLieutenant colonel JAF Major general PLO Commands heldJordanian Engineering Corps 2nd Battalion JAF Yarmouk Forces PLO Battles warsBlack September Uganda Tanzania War Operation Dada Idi Fall of Kampala 1982 Lebanon War Siege of BeirutOther workDeputy in the Palestinian Legislative Council Contents 1 Early life and service in the Jordanian Armed Forces 2 Service in the PLO 3 Notes 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 Works citedEarly life and service in the Jordanian Armed Forces EditMahmoud Da as was born to ethnic Palestinian parents in Hajjah a village located in the Qalqilya District of Mandatory Palestine 2 3 Soon after his birth his family relocated to the Jordianian city of al Karak where his father found work as policeman in the British led security forces Da as completed his primary and secondary education in al Karak and then joined the Royal Jordanian Army s academy He qualified as military engineer and was sent for further training to Great Britain as well as the United States 2 After completing his training Da as joined the Jordanian Engineering Corps and gradually rose in the ranks He was appointed commander of the 7th Company in the corps 2nd Battalion and was promoted to head of the entire 2nd Battalion and lieutenant colonel In 1957 he was arrested due to suspicions about his involvement in an alleged military coup attempt After his innocence was proven he was released 2 Da as was again temporarily arrested in 1966 and joined the Palestine Liberation Organisation PLO in the following year 3 Service in the PLO EditIn 1970 war broke out between the previously allied Jordanian government under King Hussein and the PLO led by Yasser Arafat This conflict became known as the Black September and resulted in the desertion of many Jordanian soldiers of Palestinian descent Mahmoud was one of those who sided with the PLO 2 and defected in Jerash 3 He was appointed deputy commander of the PLO s so called Yarmouk Forces Serving under Saad Sayel he consequently battled against his former comrades in the Royal Jordanian Army 2 3 The PLO was defeated and ousted from Jordan by mid 1971 Mahmoud relocated to Syria where he took part in Fatah s third conference at Hamouriyah in September 1971 He was appointed member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah during this conference and promoted to commander of the Yarmouk Forces in 1972 2 He consequently assumed command of PLO troops stationed in Mount Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley 3 As experienced military engineer 2 he was responsible for the construction of fortifications for Palestinian militants 4 Mahmoud Da as unsuccessfully fought to save the Ugandan regime of Idi Amin pictured during the Uganda Tanzania War In the late 1970s the PLO faced a crisis relating to its affairs in Africa The organisation had forged a strong alliance with Uganda under Idi Amin establishing bases in the country where it trained about 400 fighters 5 When the Uganda Tanzania War broke out in 1978 the Uganda Army quickly proved incapable in the face of the Tanzania People s Defence Force TPDF and Amin s regime began to collapse The PLO high command was alarmed fearing that the end of Amin s government would result in the ouster of the Palestinian militants from Uganda The PLO consequently opted to fight alongside the Uganda Army and sent further reinforcements Despite being aided by the PLO and Libya the Uganda Army was completely defeated in the Battle of Lukaya on 10 11 March 1979 Most PLO field commanders were wounded at Lukaya whereupon Da as was appointed replacement commander for Uganda Realizing that the war was lost he divided his remaining troops into two groups One secured an escape route to Sudan whereas the other took up defensive positions at Uganda s capital Kampala 4 In late March PLO troops were part of the garrison which attempted to defend the strategic town of Mpigi 6 The Tanzanians began their attack on Kampala on 10 April 1979 and the PLO troops under Da as reportedly resisted some time before retreating northward He managed to bring his surviving men to Sudan despite being hindered by bad roads a hostile population and dangerous wildlife 4 Da as was appointed member of the Supreme Military Council of the Palestinian Revolution a during Fatah s fourth conference in Damascus in May 1980 2 4 He was also sent to East Germany where he signed an agreement with General Helmut Borufka inspector general of the National People s Army on 19 April 1982 According to this agreement the East German military would provide training to 20 PLO artillery commanders and technicians 7 In the next month Israel invaded Lebanon starting the 1982 Lebanon War In course of this conflict Da as served as Director of Officer Affairs and Fortifications and took part in the fighting against the Israel Defense Forces including during the Siege of Beirut 3 Following the war he became Commander in Chief of the Palestinian Revolution Forces By 1983 he also headed PLO special operations in Sudan and Yemen 2 4 Da as was appointed External Security Officer in the PLO s Political Department in 1985 2 and was brigadier by the following year 1 He subsequently rose to major general and was promoted to head of the Security and Intelligence Committee in 1993 As result of the Oslo I Accord Da as and the rest of the PLO leadership was able to return to Palestine in 1994 and he became a candidate in the 1996 Palestinian general election He was elected deputy in the Palestinian Legislative Council holding a seat until 2005 2 President Yasser Arafat made him his military advisor and a member of Palestine s Supreme National Security Council Da as continued to take part in important military and diplomatic missions in the name of the PLO and Fatah 2 3 Having fallen terminally sick Da as moved to Jordan for treatment where he died 2 in 2009 8 He was buried with full military honors 2 at his birthplace of Hajjah The funeral was attended by several high ranking Palestinian politicians and military officers as well as thousands of locals 8 Notes Edit Also known as Fatah Higher Military Council 1 References EditCitations Edit a b c Alexander 1986 p 299 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Janan Osama al Salwadi 28 November 2017 ذكرى رحيل اللواء الركن محمود دعاس أبو خالد Anniversary of the departure of Major General Mahmoud Daas Abu Khaled Amad ps in Arabic Retrieved 12 December 2019 a b c d e f g مركزية فتح تنعى اللواء محمود دعاس Central Committee of Fatah mourns Major General Mahmoud Daas Al Hayat al Jadida in Arabic Retrieved 12 December 2019 a b c d e Janan Osama al Salwadi 27 February 2017 مهم ة فتح في أوغندا Fatah s mission in Uganda Al Akhbar Lebanon in Arabic Retrieved 6 October 2019 Amos 1980 p 403 Reid 2017 p 70 Herf 2016 p 299 a b الالاف يشيعون اللواء الدعاس بقلقيلية Thousands are mourning General Al Daas in Qalqilya Ma an News Agency in Arabic 1 December 2009 Retrieved 6 October 2019 Works cited Edit Alexander Yonah 1986 The Annual on Terrorism Leiden Martinus Nijhoff Publishers ISBN 9789024736089 Amos John W II 1980 Palestinian Resistance Organization of a Nationalist Movement New York City Pergamon Press ISBN 0 08 025094 7 Herf Jeffrey 2016 Undeclared Wars with Israel East Germany and the West German Far Left 1967 1989 Cambridge Cambridge University Press ISBN 978 1107089860 Reid Richard J 2017 A History of Modern Uganda Cambridge Cambridge University Press ISBN 978 1 107 06720 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mahmoud Da 27as amp oldid 1131130453, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
