The Short Lived Existence Of The Arab Kingdom In Syria

When the First World War came to an end the Allies described the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire as Occupied Enemy Territory, to be administered under military law pending a peace settlement. Already the broad lines of the amended Sykes-Picot agreement were becoming clear. It was against this background that Prince Fayṣal, who in the name of his father King Ḥusayn, led the Arab army to Damascus, set out to attend the Paris Peace Conference. The Hashemites’ dependence on Britain was already apparent because only British intervention against strong French opposition secured a place for him at the conference table. With determinationand dignity Fayṣal attempted to voice in Paris the aspirations of the Arabs. However, it was of little use because all important decisions had already been taken without his knowledge as the British and French leaders, Lloyd George and Clemenceau, had reached an understanding on the revision of the Sykes-Picot agreement. The elected General Syrian Congress in Damascus called for recognition of the independence of Syria and for repudiation of mandatory system and Prince Fayṣal was on 8 March 1920 chosen as king of Syria. Contrary to the Charter of the League of Nations, the Arabs were never seriously consulted about their future. Britain and France responded swiftly. The French army invaded Damascus and occupied the country. King Fayṣal was forced to abdicate a leave the country. The Arabs found themselves against their will under new colonial rulers.