Minister of Defense Leads Military Funeral for General Youssef Afifi

The military funeral for General Youssef Afifi, a distinguished officer of the Egyptian Armed Forces and a veteran of the October War, was held at the Military Ceremonial Area at the Field Marshal Tantawi Mosque in New Cairo. The ceremony was led by Lieutenant General Ashraf Salim Zaher, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production.

Attendees included Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, several ministers, senior military leaders, and public figures.

The military honors were conducted in recognition of General Afifi’s contributions and sacrifices in service to the nation. Minister Zaher extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.

General Youssef Afifi began his military career upon graduating from the Military Academy in 1948 and participated in the Palestine War. He was also among the officers who played a key role in the July 23 Revolution in 1952 before ascending through various leadership positions within the armed forces.

During the October War in 1973, he commanded the 19th Infantry Division, which was part of the Third Field Army tasked with crossing and breaching Israeli defenses on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal. His division effectively established bridgeheads and executed combat missions, marking a significant chapter in the history of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

General Afifi was known for his exceptional leadership skills and ability to manage field operations under challenging conditions, making him one of the prominent leaders of the Third Field Army during this pivotal time in national history.

After the war, he continued to serve in high-ranking positions, including Deputy Chief of Operations for the Armed Forces, Commander of the Third Field Army, Head of Military Research Authority, and Assistant Minister of Defense. He later transitioned to executive roles as Governor of Red Sea and then Governor of Giza, continuing his commitment to serving his country.

The late general received numerous military honors and decorations, including the Order of Crossing and the Order of Star of Honor, recognizing his bravery and national contributions. He remained active in various national events and celebrations commemorating October victories as one of the leaders who contributed to this great victory.