Mohammed Ahmed Sadek Explained

Office:Minister of War
President:Anwar Sadat
Predecessor:Mohammed Fawzi
Successor:Ahmed Ismail Ali
Term Start:14 May 1971
Term End:26 October 1972
Birth Date:October 1917
Birth Place:Al Qatawiya, Sharqia Governorate, Sultanate of Egypt
Death Date:15 March
Allegiance: Egypt
Unit:7th Infantry Regiment
Serviceyears:1937–1972
Rank: Colonel General
Nationality:Egyptian
Children:2

Mohammed Ahmed Sadek (Arabic: محمد أحمد صادق; October 1917 – 15 March 1991) was an Egyptian colonel general who served as defense minister under the rule of President Anwar Sadat.

Early life and education

Sadek was born in Al Qatawiya, a village in the Sharqia Governorate, in October 1917.[1] He graduated from the Egypt's military academy in 1938 and from M. V. Frunze Military Academy in the Soviet Union.[2]

Career and activities

Sadek joined the army and started his military career in the royal guard.[1] He took part in the Palestine war in 1948 and the Suez Campaign in 1956.[2] From 1962 to 1964 he was military attaché at the Egypt's embassy in Bonn.[2] Then he was made the curricula director of the military academy in 1965 where he served until 1967.[2] He was the head of military intelligence from June 1967 to 1969.[2] [3] In September 1969, he briefly acted as the general secretary of the Pan Arab Organization, being in charge of military affairs.[2] He was also named as the Chief of the General Staff by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in September 1969.[4] In 1970, Sadek was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.[2]

Sadek was appointed minister of war by Anwar Sadat on 14 May 1971 after the resignation of Mohammed Fawzi.[5] [6] [7] Upon his appointment, he was promoted to full general.[8] When Sadek was in office, he also held the job of armed forces commander in chief.[9] Sadek was dismissed from office on 26 October 1972,[5] and was put under house arrest.[10] [11]

Sadek's anti-Soviet approach was cited as the reason for his dismissal.[9] Another reason given for Sadek's dismissal was his criticisms over Anwar Sadat's approach concerning the war with Israel.[12] Sadek was replaced by Ahmed Ismail Ali as defense minister in October 1972.[13]

Personal life and death

Sadek was married and had two sons.[2] He died on 15 March 1991.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: الفريق أول محمد أحمد صادق (١٩١٧-١٩٩١). Alexandria Library. 2 September 2023. ar.
  2. Book: Who's Who in the Arab World 2007-2008. 2007. Publitec Publications. 978-3-11-093004-7. 689. 18th. Beirut.
  3. News: Nasser appoints two new chiefs. 31 January 2013. Herald Journal. 19 September 1969. Associated Press. Beirut.
  4. News: Nasser pushes purge, guerrillas hit hard. 31 January 2013. Montreal Gazette. 19 September 1969. Reuters. Beirut.
  5. Web site: Former Ministers of War and Defense. Ministry of Defense. 6 January 2024.
  6. News: Terrorist plot cited. 31 January 2013. The Milwaukee Sentinel. 17 May 1971.
  7. Hicham Bou Nassif. Wedded to Mubarak: The Second Careers and Financial Rewards of Egypt's Military Elite, 1981-2011. The Middle East Journal. Autumn 2013. 67. 4. 514. 43698073.
  8. News: Cabinet ministers quit in Cairo Feud. 31 January 2013. The Milwaukee Journal. 14 May 1971.
  9. News: Egypt's new war minister assumes post. Toledo Blade. 28 October 1972. Reuters. 31 January 2013. Cairo.
  10. News: Egypt's Sadek under arrest. 31 January 2013. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. Beirut.
  11. News: Ex-Egypt War Chief Arrested . 2 September 2023 . The Shreveport Times. Associated Press. 30 October 1971. Beirut. 1.
  12. Imad Harb. The Egyptian Military in Politics: Disengagement or Accommodation?. The Middle East Journal. Spring 2003. 57. 2. 282. 4329881.
  13. News: Ex-official of Egypt under arrest. The Milwaukee Sentinel. 30 October 1972. 31 January 2013.