Mushir

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A Mushir (Marshal) is the highest rank in most militaries of the Middle East. It is the equivalent to the ranks of General of the Army, Field Marshal, and Fleet Admiral.

[edit] Iraq

In Iraq, during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi Navy maintained a Fleet Admiral rank known as Mushir. A Mushir was the senior of all Naval officers and the rank was rarely bestowed. The sleeve insignia was the same as a British Admiral of the Fleet. However the rank of Mushir in Iraq is known as "Muhib" & the latter is used in all official & non-official addressing. Saddam Hussein, being the commander in chief of the armed forces was an honorary staff muhib"مهيب ركن" in the Iraqi Army and the uniform which he typically wore was that of a staff muhib. He was the only muhib in the Iraqi army as the minister of defence & the chief of staff held the rank of Fariq awal rukun"فريق اول ركن"ie, staff general. Hussein, however, never actually served in the Iraqi Army but commanded by default as the country's dictator. After his fall in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the rank of Mushir became obsolete in the new Iraqi military.

[edit] Egypt

The rank of Mushir also exists in Egypt. The rank is traditionally reserved to the commander-in-chief (the minister of defence and military production), and the supreme commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces (the President of Egypt) during war time. Late President Gamal Abdel Nasser simply held the rank of Colonel and never bestowed upon himself the supreme rank of Mushir. Late President Muhammad Naguib kept his rank of major general. Late President Sadat bestowed upon himself the supreme rank of Mushir in connection with and after the October War. The last held rank of the present President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, is Air Chief Marshal. When he became president of Egypt, he chose not to remain active in the Armed Forces of Egypt.

See also: List of Egyptian Field Marshals

[edit] Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the rank of Mushir is typically held ceremonially by the Saudi Royal Family , and translated as "First class Field Marshal".