Great Syrian Revolt

Great Syrian Revolt

Statue of the Great Syrian Revolution in Majdal Shams
Date1925–1927
Location
Result

French victory

  • France maintains its mandate over Syria
  • Change of French policy in Syria
  • Rise in Syrian nationalism
Belligerents

France France

Syrian rebels

Commanders and leaders
France Maurice Sarrail
France Roger Michaud  
France Maurice Gamelin
France Henry de Jouvenel
France Charles Andréa
Sultan al-Atrash
Abd al-Rahman Shahbandar
Ayyash Al-Haj
Hasan al-Kharrat
Ibrahim Hananu
Nasib al-Bakri
Fawzi al-Qawuqji

The Great Syrian Revolt (Arabic: الثورة السورية الكبرى), also known as the Revolt of 1925, was a general uprising across the State of Syria and Greater Lebanon during the period of 1925 to 1927. The leading rebel forces initially comprised fighters of the Jabal Druze State in southern Syria, and were later joined by Sunni, Druze and Shiite and factions all over Syria. The common goal was to end French occupation in the newly mandated regions, which passed from Turkish to French administration following World War I.

The revolt was a response to the repressive policies of the French authorities under the Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, which divided Syria into several occupied territories. The new French administration was perceived as prejudiced against the dominant Arab culture and intent on changing the character of the country. In addition resentment was caused by the refusal of the French authorities to set a timetable for the independence of Syria.

It was an extension of the Syrian uprisings that had begun when French colonial forces occupied the coastal regions in early 1920, and continued until late June 1927. While the French army and local collaborators achieved military victory, Syrian resistance led to the establishment of a national government of Syria, under which the divided territories were reunited. In addition parliamentary elections were held as a preliminary step towards the final departure of the French from Syria in 1946.[1]

  1. ^ "The results of the Syrian revolutions". Ministry of Defense of the Syrian Arab Republic. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2019-10-13.