Khalil Dabbagh

Major-General

Khalil Jassim Dabbagh
Khalil Al–Dabbagh in 1963
Native name
Arabic: اللِّوَاء خَلِيل جَاسِم الدَّبَّاغ
Birth nameKhalil Jassim Dabbagh
Born1916 (1916)
Died1969 (aged 52–53)
Allegiance Iraq
Service Iraqi Army
Years active1940–1969
RankMajor-General
UnitLight regiments (Jash), Iraqi commando units, Fourth Division
CommandsMosul zone, Light regiments, Iraqi commando units, Fourth Division
Known for1948 Arab–Israeli War, campaigns against Kurdish rebels, foiling Arif Abd ar-Razzaq second coup (1966)
Conflicts
  • World War II (Iraq campaign, 1943)
  • Anglo-Iraqi War (1941)
  • 1943 Barzani revolt – Northern Iraq/Kurdish insurgency
  • Third Barzani Movement – Northern Iraq/Kurdish insurgency
  • Fourth Barzani Movement – Northern Iraq/Kurdish insurgency
  • Iraqi Campaign on Alqosh (1963) – Against Kurdish rebels/Alansar
  • First Iraqi–Kurdish War (1961–1970)
  • 1961–1965 Kurdish campaigns – Operations against Mustafa Barzani
  • 1948 Arab–Israeli War – Defense of Wadi Ara, Ar'ara, Palestinian regiments
Alma materMilitary School and Military College, Baghdad
Other workTraining Arab officers from Libya, Jordan, Yemen; intelligence officer for Queen Alia brigade

Major-General Khalil Jassim Dabbagh (Arabic: اللواء خليل جاسم الدبّاغ; 1916–1969) was a senior officer in the early Iraqi Army. He served as commander of the Mosul military zone, commander of the Light Regiments (Jash), commander of Iraqi commando units (1963–1968), and commander of the Fourth Division (1966–1967).

Dabbagh is best known for his participation in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, during which he commanded Iraqi forces in the 'Ara and Ar'ara sectors and conducted correspondence and negotiations with officers of the Israeli Defense Forces. He was also involved in the organization of Palestinian auxiliary units during the war.

Between 1943 and 1969, Dabbagh took part in multiple military campaigns in northern Iraq against Kurdish insurgent movements, including the 1943 Barzani revolt and later phases of the Iraqi–Kurdish conflict. During the First Iraqi–Kurdish War, he commanded operations against forces loyal to Mustafa Barzani, including campaigns in 1961 and 1963, the Iraqi Campaign on Alqosh (1963) against Kurdish and communist Al-Ansar units, and the Amadiya campaign on 9 September 1965.

In June 1966, Dabbagh played a key role in thwarting the Arif Abd ar-Razzaq second coup against President Abdul Rahman Arif. He oversaw the arrest of Arif Abd ar-Razzaq and other coup participants at Mosul Airport.