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King Faisal I of Syria

"Kingdom of Syria" in 1918

The title King of Syria, was established briefly following the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I. Faysal ibn Husayn of the House of Hashim was proclaimed King of Greater Syria on 7 March 1920 in Damascus, following the Arab revolt against the Ottomans of 1916–1918. His accession was not recognized by France or the United Kingdom, the two new imperial powers in the region, and on 23 July 1920 the French moved 9000 troops towards Damascus resulting in the Battle of Maysalun. Faisal was expelled from Syria on 25 July and took exile in the United Kingdom. On 10 August, the Treaty of Sèvres divided the region into League of Nations mandates governed by France and the United Kingdom. Following mass revolts in Mesopotamia, the British government decided to step back from direct administration and create a monarchy to head Iraq while they maintained the mandate. Faisal agreed to become King following a referendum showing 96% in favour, and on 23 August 1921, Faisal was crowned King of Iraq.

Military band parade in Aleppo on 8th March 1920, following the coronation of King Faisal I as King of Syria.

[edit] See also

• Faisal I of Iraq
• Greater Syria
• Syrian Social Nationalist Party
• Damascus Protocol
• McMahon-Hussein Correspondence
• Sykes–Picot Agreement
• Arab Revolt
• Declaration to the Seven
• Anglo-French Declaration
• British Mandate of Mesopotamia
• British Mandate of Palestine
• French Mandate of Syria
• French Mandate of Lebanon
• Transjordan
• Syrian nationalism