Director of the General Intelligence Department

Director of General Intelligence Department
مدير دائرة المخابرات العامة
Incumbent Ahmad Hatoqai Acting   since 1 May 2019
Style	His Excellency
Reports to	King of Jordan
Residence	Amman, Jordan
Appointer	The King of Jordan
Inaugural holder	Mohammad Rasoul Al–Kilani
Formation	1964;62 years ago (1964)
First holder	Mohammad Rasoul Al–Kilani
Salary	Classified
Website	GID website

The Director of the Jordanian General Intelligence Department (GID) holds a pivotal position within Jordan's national security apparatus. Obtaining specific details about the role's responsibilities and powers may be challenging due to the secretive nature of intelligence agencies and limited public disclosure. However, information about the GID and its operations can sometimes be found in analyses and reports from organizations specializing in security and intelligence matters. These sources often provide insights into the role and significance of intelligence agency in Jordan. ^[1]

The Director of the GID is typically responsible for overseeing the intelligence activities of Jordan, both domestically and internationally. ^[2] The director is also tasked with counterintelligence efforts to protect Jordan's interests from external and internal threats. The director is appointed by the King of Jordan, and the position reports directly to the monarch. The appointment process and criteria for selecting the director may not be publicly disclosed, as it involves sensitive national security considerations. ^[2]

The GID is considered one of the most influential institutions in Jordan, with a significant role in shaping the country's security policies. ^[3] The director wields considerable power and influence within Jordan's security establishment. The GID often collaborates closely with foreign intelligence agencies, particularly those of Western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. ^[4] The GID has played a crucial role in safeguarding Jordan's stability and security, particularly in the face of regional conflicts and terrorist threats. Past directors have been known for their discretion and effectiveness in managing intelligence operations. ^[5]

List of directors

No.	Portrait	Director of Jordanian General Intelligence	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref.
1		Al-Kailani, MohammadBrigadier General Mohammad Rasoul Al–Kailani (1933–2003) Founder and First Director of Jordanian Intelligence	1964	1968	3–4	[6] [7]
2		Badran, MudarMajor General Mudar Badran (1934–2023)	1968	1970	1–2	[8]
3		Rshaid, NatheerBrigadier General Natheer Rshaid (1929–2024)	1970	1974	3–4	[9]
4		Obeidat, AhmadLieutenant General Ahmad Obeidat (1938–2026) The Longest-Serving Intelligence Director	1974	1982	7–8	[10]
5		Alaa El-Din, TariqBrigadier General Tariq Alaa El-Din (1935–2024)	1982	1989	6–7	[11]
6		Al-Qaisi, MustafaMajor General Mustafa al-Qaisi (1938–2019)	1989	1996	6–7	[12]
7		Al-Bateekhi, SameehLieutenant General Sameeh Al-Bateekhi (born 1943) He received a 4-year prison sentence in 2003.	1996	2000	3–4	[13] [14]
8		Khair, Sa'adMarshal Sa'ad Khair (1956–2009) The only director of Jordanian intelligence to have achieved the rank of field marshal.	November 2000	May 6, 2005	4–5	[15]
9		Asfoura, SamihMajor General Samih Asfoura The Shortest Term for a Director of Intelligence	May 6, 2005	December 20, 2005	228 days	[16]
10		Al-Dhahabi, MohammadBrigadier General Mohammad Al-Dhahabi He received a 13-year prison sentence in 2012 and was released in late 2023.	December 20, 2005	December 29, 2008	3 years, 9 days	[17]
11		Al-Raqqad, MohammadBrigadier General Mohammad Al-Raqqad (1965–2020)	December 30, 2008	October 17, 2011	2 years, 291 days	[18]
12		Al-Shoubaki, FaisalGeneral Faisal Al-Shoubaki	October 17, 2011	March 30, 2017	5 years, 164 days	[19]
13		Al-Jundi, AdnanLieutenant General Adnan Al-Jundi	March 30, 2017	May 1, 2019	2 years, 32 days	[20]
14		Hatoqai, AhmadBrigadier General Ahmad Husni Hatoqai	May 1, 2019	Incumbent	6 years, 282 days	[21] [22]

References

1. Husni, Ahmad. "Director of the General Intelligence Department (GID)". General Intelligence Department.
2. "General Intelligence Department".
3. Warrick, Joby (2010-01-04). "Jordan emerges as key CIA counterterrorism ally". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2024-05-24.
4. "[osint] "Clandestine Ties to Jordan Aid CIA Operations in Middle East"". www.mail-archive.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
5. "Jordanian intelligence RANKED #1". The Mideastwire Blog. 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
6. "Maj. Gen. Mohammed Rasoul Al-Kailani". psd.gov.jo. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
7. "King Hussein of Jordan: A Political Life 9780300142518". dokumen.pub. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
8. "Former Jordanian PM Mudar Badran Passes Away". english.aawsat. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
9. "Royal Court Chief Attends Funeral of Former Interior Minister". petra.gov.jo. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
10. "H.E. Ahmad Obeidat". Obeidat Law. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
11. "Salama writes: Matt Zeina Knights Tariq - Jordan Vista". vista.sahafi.jo. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
12. Al Jbour, Hani (2022-04-21), "10 Jordan", Intelligence Communities and Cultures in Asia and the Middle East, Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 163–176, doi:10.1515/9781626378957-010, ISBN   978-1-62637-895-7 , retrieved 2024-05-24, Mustafa al-Qaisi, who was appointed after his dismissal from the General Security to be assigned as a Director General, who is normally appointed by the king, in 1982.
13. "Countries at the Crossroads 2006 - Jordan". Refworld. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
14. "المخابرات الأردنية تخفض سجن مديرها السابق لأربعة أعوام". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-05-24.
15. "Jordan: Living in the Crossfire 9781350220928, 9781842774700, 9781842774717". dokumen.pub. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
16. "Jordan gets new intelligence chief". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
17. "الذهبي ثاني مدير مخابرات بالسجن". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-05-24.
18. "Jordan at the brink, again". December 30, 2008. Presumably his replacement, Mohammed Raqad -- whose prior assignment was in the northern city of Irbid -- will have fewer ideas about outreach to Hamas.
19. "King bestows Al Nahda medal on intelligence chief". Jordan Times. 2014-06-10. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
20. "King appoints new intelligence chief, orders changes". Jordan Times. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
21. "Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni appointed as head of intelligence department". Jordan Times. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
22. "Royal Decree appoints Husni as new intelligence chief". 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-24.