**Zeid bin Hussein**
**Definition:**
Zeid bin Hussein (1898–1970) was a prominent Arab prince and military officer, a member of the Hashemite family, and a key figure in the Arab nationalist movements of the early 20th century. He served as the last commander of the Arab Legion and was a claimant to the thrones of both Iraq and Jordan.
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# Zeid bin Hussein
Zeid bin Hussein was a significant figure in the history of the modern Middle East, particularly in the context of the Hashemite dynasty’s role in the Arab nationalist movements and the political developments in Jordan and Iraq during the first half of the 20th century. Born into the Hashemite family, which claims direct descent from the Prophet Muhammad, Zeid played important military and political roles, including serving as the commander of the Arab Legion and as a claimant to the thrones of Iraq and Jordan. His life and career reflect the complex interplay of tribal, colonial, and nationalist forces that shaped the modern Arab world.
## Early Life and Family Background
Zeid bin Hussein was born in 1898 in Mecca, then part of the Ottoman Empire. He was the son of Hussein bin Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, who led the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule during World War I. The Hashemite family, to which Zeid belonged, traced its lineage to the Prophet Muhammad and held significant religious and political prestige in the Arab world.
Zeid was one of several sons of Hussein bin Ali, including Faisal I and Abdullah I, both of whom became kings—Faisal as King of Iraq and Abdullah as King of Jordan. The Hashemites played a central role in the post-World War I reconfiguration of the Middle East, with British support, as the Ottoman Empire collapsed and new states were established under mandates and protectorates.
## Education and Early Career
Zeid received his early education in the Ottoman Empire and later pursued military training. He attended the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich in the United Kingdom, where he was trained as an artillery officer. His education in Britain reflected the close ties between the Hashemite family and the British government, which had supported the Arab Revolt and the establishment of Hashemite monarchies in the region.
Following his military training, Zeid served in various capacities within the Arab Legion, the army of Transjordan (later Jordan), which was established under British supervision. The Arab Legion was a key institution in the consolidation of the Hashemite monarchy in Jordan and played a significant role in the defense and stability of the nascent state.
## Role in the Arab Revolt and World War I
Although Zeid was relatively young during World War I, his family’s leadership of the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule was a defining influence on his life. The Arab Revolt, initiated in 1916 by his father Hussein bin Ali, aimed to establish an independent Arab state free from Ottoman control. Zeid’s brothers, Faisal and Abdullah, were actively involved in the revolt and subsequent political developments.
Zeid himself participated in military operations during and after the war, gaining experience that would later inform his leadership roles. The revolt, supported by the British, ultimately contributed to the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of new political entities in the Middle East, although the postwar settlement did not fully realize the aspirations of Arab independence.
## Military Leadership and the Arab Legion
### Commander of the Arab Legion
Zeid bin Hussein’s most prominent military role was as commander of the Arab Legion, the army of the Emirate of Transjordan and later the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Arab Legion was initially formed under British command, with British officers such as John Glubb (Glubb Pasha) playing key roles in its development.
Zeid succeeded his brother Abdullah as commander of the Arab Legion in 1939, a position he held until 1948. Under his leadership, the Arab Legion was involved in various military and security operations, including the defense of Transjordan’s borders and internal stability. The Legion was considered one of the most effective Arab military forces during this period.
### The 1948 Arab-Israeli War
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the First Arab-Israeli War or the War of Independence in Israel, the Arab Legion played a central role in the fighting in Palestine. Zeid bin Hussein was involved in the military planning and operations of the Legion during the conflict, which erupted following the United Nations’ partition plan and the subsequent declaration of the State of Israel.
The Arab Legion, under the overall command of King Abdullah I and with British officers in key positions, was the most organized and effective Arab force in the war. It succeeded in controlling the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas that were later annexed by Jordan. The war ended with armistice agreements in 1949, but the conflict set the stage for ongoing tensions and disputes in the region.
## Political Aspirations and Claims to Thrones
### Claimant to the Throne of Iraq
Following the assassination of King Faisal I of Iraq in 1933, Zeid bin Hussein was considered by some as a potential claimant to the Iraqi throne. Faisal’s son, Ghazi, succeeded him, but Zeid’s royal lineage and military experience made him a figure of interest in the complex dynastic politics of the Hashemite family.
Although Zeid did not ultimately ascend to the Iraqi throne, his position within the Hashemite family and his military credentials gave him a degree of influence in Iraqi affairs. The Hashemite monarchy in Iraq was eventually overthrown in a military coup in 1958, ending Hashemite rule there.
### Claimant to the Throne of Jordan
Zeid’s brother, Abdullah I, was the first king of Jordan, and after Abdullah’s assassination in 1951, the throne passed to his son Talal and then to his grandson Hussein. Zeid himself was considered a potential claimant to the Jordanian throne, particularly during periods of political uncertainty.
However, Zeid did not become king, and his role remained primarily military and diplomatic. He served as a senior advisor and representative of the Hashemite family in various capacities, maintaining his status as a prominent member of the royal family.
## Diplomatic and Later Life
After his military career, Zeid bin Hussein took on diplomatic roles, representing Jordan in various international forums. He was involved in efforts to promote Arab unity and to navigate the complex political landscape of the Middle East during the mid-20th century.
Zeid’s later years were marked by his continued commitment to the Hashemite cause and to the stability of Jordan. He died in 1970, leaving behind a legacy as a military leader, royal prince, and participant in the formative events of the modern Arab world.
## Legacy
Zeid bin Hussein is remembered as a key figure in the Hashemite dynasty and in the military history of Jordan and the broader Arab world. His leadership of the Arab Legion during a critical period helped shape the military and political development of Jordan. His life reflects the challenges faced by the Hashemite family in maintaining their rule and influence amid the shifting dynamics of colonialism, nationalism, and regional conflict.
While not as widely known as his brothers Abdullah and Faisal, Zeid’s contributions to the Arab nationalist cause and to the establishment of modern Jordan remain significant. His military and diplomatic service exemplify the role of the Hashemite family in the 20th-century Middle East.
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**Meta Description:**
Zeid bin Hussein was a Hashemite prince and military leader who commanded the Arab Legion and played a significant role in the political and military history of Jordan and Iraq during the early to mid-20th century.