Kamal Adham

Early Life and Education

Kamal Ibrahim Adham was born in 1929 in Istanbul, Turkey, to Ibrahim Adham, an Albanian-origin police officer, and Asia, a Turkish mother. His early life was shaped by his family’s relocation to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, when he was one year old, following his father’s move. Kamal had two half-siblings, Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan (later Queen Iffat, wife of King Faisal) and Zaki bin Mohammad Al Thunayan, and a full brother, Muzaffar. Raised in the household of King Faisal, his half-sister’s husband, Kamal enjoyed a privileged upbringing within Saudi Arabia’s royal circles, fostering close ties to the House of Saud. He attended the elite Victoria College in Alexandria, Egypt, and later studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he honed his cosmopolitan outlook. Fluent in Arabic, Turkish, English, and French, Adham’s education and linguistic skills positioned him as a bridge between Saudi Arabia and the West.

Career in Intelligence

(1964–1979) - In 1964, King Faisal appointed Adham as chief of external intelligence, and in 1965, he became the first director general of Al Mukhabarat Al A’amah (General Intelligence Directorate, later renamed General Intelligence Presidency, GIP), serving until 1979. As head of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence agency, Adham played a pivotal role in establishing the kingdom’s international influence during a turbulent period marked by Cold War rivalries and Arab nationalism. His tenure included:

Yemen Proxy War (1960s): Adham led intelligence efforts supporting royalists against Egyptian-backed republicans in Yemen, working with British allies to counter President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s influence. He hosted a secret 1965 conference in Jeddah to broker a compromise regime. This meeting included discussions on the MI6 and CIA's initiative to overthrow the Nassar's government. The proxy war between the British and Egypt in Yemen, where 75,000 Egyptian troops deployed, set the stage for Israel's attack in 1967 ensuring a victory over Egypt. This was in response for Egyptian President Nassar's expelling the British from the Suez Canal protectorate role within Egypt.

Egyptian Relations (1970–1972): After Nasser’s assassination in 1970, Adham facilitated Saudi Arabia’s reconciliation with Egypt under President Anwar Sadat. In 1972, he persuaded Sadat to expel 20,000 Soviet military advisors, a major geopolitical shift aligning Egypt with the West, reportedly backed by Saudi payments which was done with consultation and support of the UK and the US.

CIA Collaboration: Trained in the U.S., alongside future Mossad head Zvi Zamir, Adham maintained intimate ties with the CIA. He facilitated U.S.-Pakistani contacts during the Soviet-Afghan War (1979), channeling CIA funding to mujahideen, including Osama bin Laden, via Pakistan. His associate, Raymond Close, a former CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia, joined Adham’s team in 1977, strengthening U.S.-Saudi intelligence links.

Adham’s discreet style—often working from his Jeddah home, equipped with advanced communications—earned him the moniker “godfather of Middle East intelligence.” His ability to navigate Western and Arab intelligence networks, including alleged knowledge of Mossad activities within 24 hours, underscored his influence, though such claims may be exaggerated.

Business Ventures

Adham was a shrewd businessman, leveraging his royal connections to build a vast commercial empire starting in 1957, well before his intelligence role. Key ventures included:

Kamal Adham Group: Founded in Saudi Arabia, it became one of the kingdom’s largest conglomerates, with interests in construction, real estate, telecommunications, and hotels. After his death, his son Mishaal Adham assumed control in 2001, consolidating shares worth an estimated 3 billion Saudi Riyal.

Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI): Adham was a major shareholder and played a key role in BCCI’s operations. Founded in 1972 by Agha Hasan Abedi, BCCI became a global banking giant but collapsed in 1991 amid fraud and money-laundering scandals. This bank was used by intelligence operations throughout the world for drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and human trafficking. It laundered the proceeds of these illicit activities around the world.

According to Paul Williams' Operation Gladio "John R. Bath an, alleged CIA operative, became one of BCCI's directors. While serving the Pakistani bank, Bath was the co-owner of Arbusto Energy, a Texas oil company, with future President George W. Bush."

Almabani and Freyssinet: Adham established Almabani (1972), a contracting firm, and Freyssinet Saudi Arabia (1978), a construction company, both major players in Saudi infrastructure. Almabani handled projects worth over 2 billion Saudi Riyal by 2001.

Saudi Research and Marketing: Adham was an early shareholder in this influential media company, extending his reach into publishing.

Barrick Gold Corporation: In 1983, Adham, alongside Adnan Khashoggi, co-founded this Canadian gold mining company, diversifying his portfolio.

Egyptian Investments: He owned 4% of Delta Bank and allocated 2% to his associate, Sayed Al Jawhary, and was a business partner of Jihan Sadat, Anwar Sadat’s wife, and her family. The coup in Egypt of Nassar brought Anwar Sadat to power and was coordinated with Saudi intelligence chief, Adham.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Adham’s career was marred by significant controversies: Arabian Oil Company Dispute (1961–1962): Saudi Oil Minister Abdullah Tariki accused Adham of receiving a secret 2% profit share from the Arabian Oil Company, co-founded by Saudi Arabia and Japan. The agreement was canceled in January 1962, leading to Tariki’s dismissal in March 1962, highlighting Adham’s influence and royal protection.

BCCI Scandal (1990s): U.S. prosecutors accused Adham of orchestrating BCCI’s illegal takeover of First American Bank. In 1992, he and Sayed Al Jawhary pleaded guilty, paying a $105 million fine (equivalent to $230 million in 2024) for a reduced sentence. Adham provided testimony on BCCI’s global fraud network, which U.S. District Attorney Robert Morgenthau described as a “corrupt criminal organization” throughout its 19-year history. As a result, Adham was barred from the US financial sector.

Alleged CIA-Linked Operations: Adham’s role in supporting Afghan mujahideen via BCCI raised questions about his involvement in covert U.S.-Pakistani operations, including potential arms and nuclear technology transfers to Pakistan during a U.S. embargo. His plea bargain ensured limited public disclosure, protecting U.S. and Saudi interests.

Personal Life

In 1957, Adham married Nadia, from the Syrian-Egyptian Samaqiyya family, and they had four children: three sons, including Mishaal, and one daughter. He owned a mansion in Marbella, Spain, a hotspot for Saudi and Gulf royals, reflecting his wealth and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Adham died of a heart attack in Cairo, Egypt, on October 29, 1999, at age 71. His body was returned to Saudi Arabia for burial.

Awards and Legacy

Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (1967): Awarded during King Faisal’s state visit to the U.K., recognizing Adham’s role in strengthening Saudi-British ties. This coincides with his assistance in the Yemen proxy war on behalf of UK.

Kamal Adham Center: In 1985, Adham funded the Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism at the American University in Cairo, where he served on the Board of Trustees.

Critical Perspective

Declassified CIA documents and the 2020 Washington Post report on BCCI-related operations confirm his collaboration with U.S. intelligence but do not detail his role in specific programs. The Süddeutsche Zeitung’s coverage of BCCI underscores its systemic fraud, aligning with Adham’s guilty plea.