Executive Summary

Egyptians and international analysts were shocked by the unexpected shake-up within the General Intelligence Service (GIS) last October. The GIS, also known as the Mukhabarat, is one of Cairo’s most powerful and secretive institutions. In a surprising move, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi dismissed Major General Abbas Kamel as GIS director. He then appointed Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad in his place. Rashad is a largely unknown figure, with minimal public information available about his background or career.

Images Sourced From: LibyaUpdate, Prime Minister of Israel, EMPC News

Profile

Professional Career

1. Rashad is an alumnus of Cairo’s Military Technical College, graduating as a First Lieutenant in 1990, at 23 years old. The college is one of Egypt’s top scientific research centres, specialising in military science and technology.
2. After graduating, Rashad joined the intelligence services and has enjoyed a long career, rising through the ranks to GIS deputy before becoming its head.
3. Previously, Rashad served as the deputy to recently dismissed GIS Director Abbas Kamel, who himself has acted as a trusted advisor to President Sisi, and often relied upon during high-level diplomatic affairs.
4. Rashad has likely worked across a range of operational issues, with the GIS often involved in foreign policy matters, such as Egypt-Iran relations, conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Libya, and countering long-standing political dissidents. [source]

Family and Personal Life

1. Born in Cairo in 1967 and speaks both Arabic and English.
2. Rashad is the son of an army major general from Swalem village in Damietta.
3. Married to Marwa Taalab, the daughter of Egypt’s former deputy interior minister, Mohamed Taalab.
4. He is speculated to be related to Prof. Hoda Rashad, a former Egyptian senator and social sciences expert.
5. Sources report that his family may have Turkish origins or ties to the Shammar tribe, a prominent Arabian Peninsula tribal network. [source]

Personality, Politics, and Leadership

1. Rashad is one of the rare intelligence officers who has avoided the public spotlight, making verified details about his background scarce.
2. As an intelligence official, his personal political ideology remains undisclosed, though his swift rise suggests alignment with the security priorities of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.