October 31 marks birth anniversary of Egypt’s late Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy

CAIRO – 31 October 2021: Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy was born on October 31, 2021 in Aswan , and graduated from the Military Academy in 1956.

The late commander was a war hero, who fought in the Six-Day War in 1967, and the War of Attrition that began in 1969 paving the way for the 6th of October 1973 War, where he led a very famous battle dubbed “The Chinese Farm Battle.”  It took place on October 15, 1973 when troops freed a land that was planned for reclamation by the Egyptian government in Sinai, from Israeli occupation.

Tantawy ascended through the ranks until he was appointed General Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces, and Minister of Defense and Military Production in 1991. Two years later, he earned the Field Marshal rank, remaining in the position until August 12, 2021.

Former General Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy passed away on September 21, 2021 at the age of 85.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi mourned the late commander, who was minister of defense and military production for around 20 years, both on social media and in-person while inaugurating a number of projects in Sinai Peninsula and Suez Canal governorates.

The president tweeted: “I lost today a father, a teacher, and a person who was protective of his homeland. I learnt a lot from him about devotion and being a role model. That person is Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy, who repelled the most vicious difficulties faced by Egypt in its modern history. I extend my deepest condolences to the great people of Egypt. I pray to God to cast patience and consolation upon the field marshal’s family.” 

During the event held on September 21, the president added, “that man was a real reason in the protection of Egypt from falling at that stage. When elections were held [in 2012] and all indicators showed the winning of a certain group, he said, “in history, I would be the one who handed the country to that [fate]. That matter hurt him so much because he knew and understood the damages Egypt would endure as a result of such rule.”

“That man is innocent of any blood spilled during [2011-2012] clashes of Mohamed Mahmoud street., Port Said Stadium, Maspero Corniche, Institut D’Egypte and any conspiracy that was aimed at undermining the state. I swear to God he is innocent of all that. And, all who were in charge at the time are innocent,” the president asserted.

The president pointed to the period since Field Marshal Tantawy became in charge in 2011, after the regime had been overthrown, and until delivering the authority in 2012. “That is my testimony for history. He led that period in a very loyal, devoted, and wise way that spared the Egyptian state from collapse and civil war, achieving a transition with the least possible damages in light of the circumstances of the time.”

The president concluded by announcing official mourning over the passing of the field marshal, and named Cairo’s Camp Huckstep after him.

The Egyptian Armed Forces and the General Intelligence Service also issued statements mourning the late commander.