Egypt’s Armed Forces have released a new episode of the documentary series “Hekayat Batal” (A Hero’s Story), recounting the life and sacrifice of Brigadier General Ahmed Abdel Khaleq El-Gaafari, an officer remembered by comrades as the legendary “Asad Gabal El-Halal” (“Lion of Mount Halal”) for his unrivalled knowledge of the rugged terrain and his fearless leadership during Egypt’s counter-terrorism operations in North Sinai.
The episode, published on the official platforms of military spokesperson Brigadier General Staff Gharib Abdel Hafez, forms part of an ongoing effort to preserve the stories of heroes who gave their lives defending the nation.
Through testimonies from fellow officers, the documentary portrays El-Gaafari as a commander whose humanity matched his battlefield courage. He lived under the same conditions as his soldiers, refusing better accommodation or food and insisting on sharing their daily hardships.
Young officers recalled that he became their mentor from the moment they arrived in Sinai, teaching them not only military tactics but also how to read the terrain and anticipate every possible threat.
His extraordinary familiarity with Mount Halal earned him legendary status. Fellow officers said he could navigate the mountains from memory without maps or GPS, identifying routes, landmarks and danger areas with remarkable precision.
El-Gaafari was also known for thinking like his adversaries.
Rather than simply tracking terrorist movements, he studied how they planned, moved and hid, allowing his forces to anticipate their actions and strike first.
On one mission, he even disguised himself in civilian clothing and travelled inside a sand truck among civilian vehicles to monitor terrorist activity without revealing his presence.
When one officer expressed concern about the danger, El-Gaafari smiled and replied:
“The important thing is that they know we’ll find them everywhere.”
On 5 September 2018, while leading an administrative resupply mission to one of the mountain outposts, El-Gaafari deliberately left the main track, knowing that improvised explosive devices were often planted along the route.
Instead, he triggered a carefully concealed booby trap hidden among rocks and trees and was fatally wounded.
One of his closest comrades later recalled asking him only two days earlier:
“How have you not become a martyr yet?”
When news of his death arrived, he said he was heartbroken—but not surprised.
The final episode of the documentary series “Hekayat Batal” (A Hero’s Story) features “Asad Gabal El-Halal” (“Lion of Mount Halal”), recounting the story of Brigadier General Ahmed Abdel Khaleq El-Gaafari, one of Egypt’s most legendary counter-terrorism commanders in Sinai. The episode is being released to coincide with the anniversary of the June 30 Revolution and the 56th Air Defence Forces Day, paying tribute to the heroes who safeguarded the nation. While this marks the conclusion of the series, the stories of Egypt’s heroes continue to inspire future generations.
