Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz al-Fagham Bio
Maj. Gen. Abdul aziz al-Fagham is the personal bodyguard of Saudi King shah Salman. He was visiting a friend when he had a row with Mamdouh bin Meshaal Al Ali on Saturday night. Gen Fagham was well known among Saudis.
Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Fagham, who has died of injuries sustained during a ‘personal dispute,’ was a familiar figure at Saudi royal public appearances#Abdulaziz_Alfaghmhttps://t.co/m794VXWWY0 pic.twitter.com/Slbtxl4eYn
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 30, 2019
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz al-Fagham Age
Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz al-Fagham, whose age has not been reported
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz al-Fagham Murder
“Maj Gen Abdulaziz al-Fagham, the bodyguard of the custodian of the two holy mosques, was shot dead following a personal dispute in Jeddah,” the tweet read.
For nearly 15 years, Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Fagham, the bodyguard of Saudi monarchs who has died of injuries, was the nation’s quiet, unobtrusive hero#Abdulaziz_Alfaghmhttps://t.co/m794VXWWY0 pic.twitter.com/3BQXpnNqe0
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 29, 2019
State TV offered no other details. Hours later, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said a friend of Fagham had shot and killed him, and another Saudi and a Filipino worker had been wounded. A gunfight erupted with security forces that also left the shooter dead and five members of the security forces wounded, the news agency reported.
The prominent personal bodyguard to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman was fatally shot in what is being described as a “personal dispute.” After initial rumors implied various conspiracy theories, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported that a friend of al-Fagham shot and killed him after a gunfight erupted at a private residence. Five Saudi security force officers were also injured, but it is not clear how or why they were involved.
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz al-Fagham Killer
Saudis recall the stance
Major General Abdul Aziz Al-Fagham initiates to tie the shoes of King Salman as he receives delegates to the Arab-American Summit in May 2017. https://t.co/HRCmnAbKG7 https://t.co/Ox4FT4F6Ed— Annette (Ah-Net) (@Smiity646) September 29, 2019
A police statement said Ali left the house in Jeddah to return with a gun with which he opened fire.
He was shot dead after refusing to surrender to police, the statement said. Gen Fagham died of his wounds in hospital. Seven people were injured.
They include two people at the friend’s house Gen Fagham was visiting, as well as five security personnel involved in the shoot-out.
It’s a sad day in #Saudi
One of our heroes has passed away today.. Major General Abdulaziz Al-Fagham, the protector of the Kings.. the whole Kingdom loves him.May you rest in peace#عبدالعزيز_الفغم pic.twitter.com/g0ynUfkEgr
— نورة الشلهوب ?? (@NorahShalhoub) September 29, 2019
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz al-Fagham Tributes
Tributes on social media described him as a “hero” and “guardian angel”.
King Salman acceded to the throne in 2015 at the age of 79.
Many observers suggest that his son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wields real power in Saudi Arabia.
A quick reading of death of #Abdul Aziz Al-Fagham, the bodyguard of ?? #King Salman gathered for his treacherous death. What draws attention is whether any personal dispute calls for murder, the speed of the response of the Saudi security forces and the murder of the killer? pic.twitter.com/erQUmUBMRm
— ✪ KHALID ALTHANI ✪ ? ?? (@khalidyalthani) September 29, 2019
Fast Facts You Need to Know
- Gen Fagham was well known among Saudis.
- He was close to King Salman and his long service included serving as the personal bodyguard of late King Abdullah, too.