73rd Independence Day of Syria

APRIL

17, 2019, marks Syria’s Independence Day, which is also known as “Evacuation Day” as it was the day the last of the French troops left Syria in 1946. Syria, a French mandate since 1920 till its independence in 1946, had been under the domain of the Ottomans for more than 400 years, which encompassed most of the Arab countries and protected them from European imperial powers. World War I (1914-1918), however, saw the defeat and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, which had formed part of the losing Central Powers, along with Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Independence Day is one of Syria’s important national holidays. The ceremonial hoisting of flag is observed during the celebration of the anniversary of Syria’s Independence Day in memorial parks to honor those who died in the wars fought to liberate the country from foreign rule.

Today the Syrians continue their battle against the terrorist organizations.

Syria is located in Southwestern Asia. It is bordered in the north by Turkey, in the east by Iraq, in the south by Jordan, and in the southwest by Lebanon and Israel. The land is a flat desert plateau, dissected by mountains, with a narrow coastal plain that fronts the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital and largest city is Damascus, a major cultural center of the Levant and the Arab world.

The Philippines and the Syrian Arab Republic have enjoyed warm diplomatic relations. The Philippines maintains an embassy in Damascus, while Syria has a consulate general office in Makati City.

We congratulate the people and government of Syria led by President Bashar al-Assad on the occasion of its Independence Day.