Amin Howeidi
Amin Hamid Howeidi (Arabic: أمين حامد هويدي; 22 September 1921–31 October 2009) was an Egyptian military leader, author and defense minister 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 Defense | |
| In office 1967 – March 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
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
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 defense minister and director of general intelligence by Gamal Abdel Nasser after the defeat of Egypt in the Six-Day War.[3] His term as defense minister began in June 1967, replacing Shams Badran in the post.[4] Howeidi's term ended in March 1968,[2] and he was succeeded by Mohammed Fawzi as defense minister.[5] Howeidi served as director of general intelligence from 1967 to 1970.[2]
Arrest
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
Howeidi was married and had two children, a daughter and a son.[6] He died on 31 October 2009 at the age of 88.[1]
Publications
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.[7]
References
- "Egyptian Figures". SIS. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
