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Syrian independence
The period between the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and the grantingof France’s mandate over Syria by the League of Nations in 1922 was marked by a complicated sequence of events during which Syrians achieved a brief period of independence (1919– 20). However, three forces were at workagainst Arab nationalism: Britian’s interest in keeping eastern Mesopotamia under its control in order to counter Russian influence and to protect British oil interests; the Jewish interest in Palestine; -
Period: to
Nationalist agitation against French rule
Nationalist agitation against French rule develops into a
national uprising. French forces bombard Damascus. -
Elections held for a constituent assembly
Elections held for a constituent assembly, which drafts a
constitution for Syria. French High Commissioner rejects the proposals, sparking nationalist protests. -
France agrees to Syrian independence
France agrees to Syrian independence in principle but signs an
agreement maintaining French military and economic dominance. -
World War 2
World War II: Syria comes under the control of the Axis powers
after France falls to German forces. -
British and Free French troops occupy Syria.
British and Free French troops occupy Syria. General De Gaulle
promises to end the French mandate. -
Protests
Protests over the slow pace of French withdrawal. -
All french troops have left Syria
Last French troops leave Syria -
Israel carries a nuclear strike against Syria
Israel carries out an aerial strike against a site in
northern Syria that it said was a nuclear facility under construction. In 2011 the UN's IAEA nuclear watchdog decides to report Syria to the UN Security Council over its alleged covert nuclear programme reactor programme at the site. -
nuclear reactor accusation
The US accuses North Korea of having helped Syria to build a
secret nuclear reactor at the site bombed by Israel in 2007. -
Settlement
Note: 3500 B.C
Unidentified peoples lived in northern Syria before 4500 B.C. The first known settlers in Syria were Semites who probably arrived about 3500 B.C. They established city-states throughout the region. One city-state, Ebla, flourished sometime between 2700 and 2200 B.C. Ebla was a powerful kingdom with an advanced civilization.
