Sultan pasha al ‘atrash

syrian – druze 1888-1982

This hero of Syrian nationalism fought for independence in the Levant, not only from the Ottomans, but also the succeeding French occupation, and even the Syrian government during a time of contentious dictatorships. After his father led a brutally repressed revolt in 1909, al ‘Atrash developed a network of Arab nationalists across the region. In 1918, his forces were the first to enter Damascus and raise the Arab Revolt flag. But the lessons he learned fighting the Ottomans meant his influence would carry well into the 20th century as he waged guerrilla campaigns against other powers.