Dawoud Rajiha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dawoud Rajiha
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داود راجحة
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| 15th Minister of Defense | |
| In office 8 August 2011 – 18 July 2012 |
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| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Prime Minister | Adel Safar Riyad Farid Hijab |
| Deputy | Assef Shawkat |
| Preceded by | Ali Habib Mahmud |
| Succeeded by | Fahd Jassem al-Freij |
| 20th Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office 3 June 2009 – 8 August 2011 |
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| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Minister | Ali Habib Mahmud |
| Preceded by | Ali Habib Mahmud |
| Succeeded by | Fahd Jassem al-Freij |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dawoud Abdallah Rajiha
1947 Damascus, Syria |
| Died | 18 July 2012 (aged 64–65) Damascus, Syria |
| Political party | Ba'ath Party |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Syria |
| Branch/service |  Syrian Arab Army |
| Years of service | 1967–2012 |
| Rank |  Colonel General |
| Unit | 3rd Armoured Division, Artillery |
| Battles/wars |
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Dawoud Abdallah Rajiha (born in 1947 – died 18 July 2012) was a high-ranking military officer from Syria. He served as the country's Minister of Defense from 2011 until he died in July 2012. Before that, from 2009 to 2011, Rajiha was the chief of staff for the Syrian Army. He died during the Civil War in his country.
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Early Life and Education
Dawoud Rajiha was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1947. He was a Greek Orthodox Arab Christian. He studied at Syria's military academy and finished his training in 1967. He became a specialist in artillery, which means he was an expert in using large guns and cannons.
Military Training
Dawoud Abdallah Rajiha took several important courses during his military career:
- He earned a Bachelor's degree in Military Sciences.
- He completed a Staff Course.
- He finished a General Command and Staff Course.
- He also attended a Higher Staff Course, sometimes called a War Course.
Military Career
Rajiha moved up through the ranks in the Syrian military. In 1998, he became a major general. Six years later, in 2004, he was named the Syrian Army's deputy chief of staff.
In 2005, he was promoted again to a special rank called General Imad. This rank is unique to the Syrian armed forces. In 2009, when Ali Habib Mahmud became the Minister of Defense, Rajiha took over his old job as the army chief of staff. He was still in this important role when the Syrian civil war began in 2011.
On August 8, 2011, President Bashar al-Assad chose Dawoud Rajiha to become the new Minister of Defense. He replaced Ali Habib Mahmud in this top position.
False Reports of His Death
In May 2012, some groups against the Syrian government claimed that Dawoud Rajiha had been killed. They said he and seven other government officials were assassinated. However, these claims were later proven to be false.
Syrian television showed that the officials, including former Minister of Defense Hasan Turkmani, were still alive. The groups who made the claim later changed their story. They said only Rajiha's deputy, General Assef Shawkat, and another official had died. But even General Shawkat, who was President Assad's brother-in-law, was later shown to be alive. In June 2012, it was officially confirmed that Rajiha was still the Minister of Defense in the new government.
His Death and Funeral
About two months after the false reports, Dawoud Rajiha was killed on July 18, 2012. He died in an attack during a meeting at the Syrian National Security Building in Damascus. Other important officials, including Hasan Turkmani and Assef Shawkat, also died in the same attack.
After his death, President Assad appointed Fahd Jassem al-Freij as the new Minister of Defense. A state funeral was held for Dawoud Rajiha, Hasan Turkmani, and Assef Shawkat in Damascus on July 20, 2012. President Bashar al-Assad did not attend the ceremony himself. Instead, he was represented by Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa. A military ceremony also took place for them at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Mount Qasioun, which overlooks Damascus.
Personal Life
Dawoud Rajiha was married and had four children.
