Khaberni - Aspirations meeting the summits, a steadfast Hashemite determination that does not yield, and the will of an exceptional leader who owned the courage of decision and the foresight of the state, thus crafting with his historic decision an everlasting national epic that will remain a witness that sovereignty is not granted, but rather seized by the will of the free. The decision to Arabize the military command was a pivotal moment in the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a strategic turning point that transitioned Jordan from a phase of fulfilling the pillars of independence to establishing full national sovereignty, and solidifying the pillars of the modern state on foundations of national dignity and national pride.
The late His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal, may God bless his soul, realized early on that the Arab Army, being the shield and sword of the nation, and the guardian of independence and its safety valve, could not achieve its lofty goal, nor carry out its grand national mission, unless its leadership stemmed from the core of the nation, believed in its mission, was loyal to its flag, and was deeply rooted in its consciousness, carrying its creed, understanding its aspirations, and ready to sacrifice for it.
His Majesty, the young leader who was ahead of his time, saw with his insightful vision that the presence of foreign leadership at the head of the army was a restraint on his will, an obstacle to its development, and a diminishment of the state's sovereignty and prestige. He realized that building a professional national army required a purely national leadership, possessing the will, loyalty, and belonging, and believing that defending the homeland is an honor, a creed, and a mission.
From this perspective, since assuming his constitutional powers, His Majesty began to think deeply about strategically rebuilding the military institution on purely national foundations, and advancing it towards the ranks of advanced armies in terms of training, armament, organization, and combat doctrine.
His Majesty clearly expressed this vision in his book “My Profession is King,” when he said:
"It was my duty to give Jordanians more responsibilities, to enhance their self-confidence, and to instill in them the spirit of national dignity, and to grant them their natural place in managing the affairs of their country, foremost the Arab Army."
On the first of March 1956, His Majesty made his bold historic sovereign decision, an irrevocable decision, by ending the service of General John Bagot Glubb, known as "Glubb Pasha", and all foreign leadership, thereby heralding a new stage of full national sovereignty, and restoring the original Jordanian Arab identity to the Arab army.
This decision was more than just an administrative action or a job change; it was a historic announcement that Jordan is a sovereign state, free-willed, that does not accept guardianship, nor accepts dependency, and that its army, the army of its sons, and its leadership, are rights of its loyal children.
By the royal decree, leader Radi Hasan Annab was promoted to the rank of Brigadier and appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Arab Army, becoming the first Jordanian to hold this high position, signaling the start of a new era of national leadership.
On the morning of March 2, 1956, the airwaves of Jordanian radio carried the voice of Hussein, announcing his historic decision, addressing his brave soldiers with words that will remain eternal in the nation's consciousness, and a source of inspiration for successive generations.
The Jordanian people, along with the members of the Arab Army, received the decision with immense joy, great pride, and indescribable pride, because it restored to them their dignity, consolidated their self-confidence, and reaffirmed that Jordan is on the path of true independence.
The Arabization decision contributed to a comprehensive qualitative leap in the structure of the armed forces, allowing the sons of the nation to take on leadership and responsibility roles. Esteemed national military leaders emerged, who wrote the most magnificent epics of heroism and sacrifice in defense of the nation, on Palestinian soil, and in various places of honor and duty.
The decision also founded a distinguished Jordanian military school, based on professionalism, discipline, and rooted doctrine, and contributed to the building of a modern military institution that became regionally and internationally respected, and a fundamental pillar in the security and stability system.
Arabization was not just a passing historical event, but the actual starting point towards building the modern Arab Army, which has become a model of professionalism and efficiency, and a messenger of peace in various parts of the world through its honorable participation in international peacekeeping forces and field hospitals.
In the same Hashemite tradition, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, may God protect him, continued the path of building, modernizing, and developing, working to enhance the capabilities of the Arab Army, arming it with the latest systems, and training its members according to the highest international standards, to keep the Arab Army, as Hussein wanted it, a professional force, a support for the nation, and an impregnable fortress in the face of challenges.
During his reign, the armed forces experienced a comprehensive qualitative leap, including a restructuration that formed an advanced strategic step aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and developing the command and control system, updating the organizational structure to align with the requirements of the age, and the nature of modern challenges. This restructuring focused on several key features, including:
Enhancing combat readiness by developing the armed forces in line with the nature of the strategic environment changes, through enhancing human resource efficiency, honing capabilities, and investing in the human element, intensifying efforts to update technical and technological systems to enhance the ability to perform duties with efficiency and capability, aiming to solidify military professionalism and enhance flexibility to ensure a rapid response to various circumstances, as well as including enhanced strategic partnerships with armies around the world to maintain security and stability.
Today, on the anniversary of the Arabization of the army command, Jordanians recall with pride and reverence that historic moment that embodied the highest meanings of national sovereignty, confirming that the Hashemite will was and will remain a title of glory and a maker of major transformations.
Arabization was the beginning of the victory of dignity, a sovereignty decision, and the building of the future, a decision by a leader who believed in his country, thus his country believed in him, a decision that made a great army, and protected a great state.
May God have mercy on Hussein the builder, the decision-maker, and the renewer of the renaissance, and keep Jordan strong and dignified under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and let the Arab Army remain, as always, a leader, the shield of the nation, and its rightful sword against anyone who dares to compromise the security and independence of the homeland.
