Major Ata Issa Almanasir, 1974 - 2010
(Jordan)
Major Ata Issa Almanasir, a national of Jordan, served with the Jordanian Armed Forces and was deployed to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as an Operations Officer. He arrived to Haiti less than two weeks before the earthquake struck.
Ata was born in Amman where he completed his primary education. Later, he received a degree in military science and history from Mutah University. He joined the Jordanian Armed Forces at the age of 19 and was promoted to Major in 2008.
Ata had previous peacekeeping experience, having served with the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE ) in 2001. Part of his duties also included providing translation services.
His father, a retired Major in the Jordanian Army, said, “I carry his memory as my son and as a brave Jordanian soldier who served his humanitarian duty with every
sense of glory and pride.”
A ceremony was held on 19 January in Amman at Queen Alia International Airport to receive the bodies of Ata and his fallen colleagues. It was attended by His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Her Majesty Queen Rania, His Royal Highness Prince Feisal, senior officers, government officials and the families of the fallen officers.
King Abdullah praised his officers, saying that they performed their duties and represented their country honourably. Queen Rania called it “a sombre day” and said the peacekeepers were “courageous.”
Ata was buried on 21 January in his hometown of Marj Al-Hamam, located in greater Amman.
He is survived by his wife and their three daughters. His wife is expecting the couple’s fourth child.