Israeli Brigadier General Zuri Shagai Dies at 92 After Distinguished Military Career

Brigadier General (res.) Zuri Shagai passed away at the age of 92. Born in Herzliya in 1934 and raised in the moshav Ein Vered, Shagai served for decades in the Israel Defense Forces, holding key command roles including commander of the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit and Battalion 890. He fought in Israel's wars and was notably recognized for his advisory role to Kurdish rebels led by Mustafa Barzani in their struggle against the Iraqi army.

Shagai enlisted in the IDF in 1952, volunteered for the paratroopers, and quickly rose through the ranks. He participated in reprisal operations and the Sinai War, including the Battle of Mitla Pass. His career included intelligence officer duties and commanding Battalion 890. He was also sent abroad to Ethiopia to train military officers and to Iran to help organize the Shah's forces protecting oil installations in the Persian Gulf.

His most prominent role was in Iraqi Kurdistan, where he assisted Kurdish forces in developing combat doctrines to counter the Iraqi army. This included sniper deployment and assault reserve training, with some training conducted in Israel. In May 1966, during a major Iraqi offensive, Shagai orchestrated a trap that inflicted heavy losses on the Iraqi 4th Division near Mount Hendrin. He also led efforts to capture strategic Mount Korak, controlling key passes in the Rawanduz area. These battles helped initiate negotiations leading to Iraq's tentative agreement to Kurdish autonomy demands.

During the Six-Day War, Shagai was part of an airborne force aimed at capturing Sharm el-Sheikh, which was ultimately taken without combat by the navy. Post-war, he served as deputy commander of the Paratroopers Brigade, participated in Operation Karameh, and was chief of staff officer for Central Command. In 1971, he commanded the 820 Regional Brigade until just before the Yom Kippur War, when he led the Miron District on the Israel-Lebanon border and later the 317 Paratroopers Reserve Brigade in the Syrian enclave.

After the Yom Kippur War, Shagai returned to Kurdistan to support Kurdish forces again. Back in Israel, he became an instructor at the IDF Command and Staff College and commanded the Shlomo region from 1977 to 1980. His final IDF post was commander of the 81st Division as a brigadier general. He retired in 1984 and was honored in 2012 with the Yakir Ramat Gan award.