National Independence, the story of relentless struggle and strong will
The National Independence Day has been an honorable stage in Syria’s modern history. As we celebrate the 69th anniversary of Independence Day, we remember with great pride the sacrifices of our fathers and forefathers who refused to bow or surrender. The struggle of the Syrian people started immediately after the decision of the French army to enter Syria. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the colonialist states represented by France and Britain, immediately divided the Arab homeland between them according to the notorious Sykes Picot Agreement as if it were its inheritance.
France took Syria under its sphere of influence and issued the ill-famed Guru Ultimatum before sending Guru himself to occupy Syria. The Syrian fighters, led by the then Minister of Defense, Yousef al-Azmeh gathered at Maysaloun to repel the French invading forces. Knowing beforehand that he would not be able to face the armed to the teeth French army, and despite the acceptance of King Faisal of Guru Ultimatum, al-Azmeh insisted to face the French at Maysaloun to tell them that their stay in Syria would not be as easy as they thought. Al-Azmeh and his friends confronted the French occupiers with their simple weapons in comparison to the highly sophisticated weapons of the French invading army. Al-Azmeh fell martyr along with scores of his friends igniting the spark of unceasing struggle. Revolts and upheavals flared up all over the country. In the coast, Sheikh Saleh al-Ali led the revolt which was one of the first acts of resistance against the French forces, and it allied itself with other revolts in the country.
In an attempt to extinguish the revolts and upheavals that flared up everywhere in the country, the French decided to divide Syria into mini states, based on religious principles. But the Syrian people completely rejected these states, because such divisions threaten the peaceful co-existence Syria has been characterized with since time immemorial.
The relentless Syrian resistance culminated in 1925 when Sultan Al-Atrash announced the Great Syrian Revolution. In many battles at Kafr, Mazraa, Musaifira, Golan and Majdal, the French forces were humiliatingly defeated. The Revolution was generalized in almost all Syria, and the battles continued until 1927 when the French were forced to recognise Syria’s independence and start political negotiations with Syrian nationalists. The talks resulted in signing the 1936 Treaty in which France recognized Syria’s independence. France, however, didn’t honor it and tried to impose its domination on the country through various methods. For this reason, armed resistance continued relentlessly until April 1946.
History repeats itself. France is trying to revive its colonialist dreams through supporting takfiri terrorists operating in Syria by all possible means. But the Syrian people and army have foiled the conspiracy of France, Israel and their allies. Inspiring the valiant deeds of the heroes of independence, the Syrian people and army will continue its struggle until every inch of the Syrian lands is liberated and cleared of all terrorists.
Syrian people, armed with their high awareness and national unity, won’t allow conspirators to undermine Syria and achieve their sinister attempts.
As we celebrate the Independence Day anniversary, the Syrian army is cracking down on terrorist organizations in all Syrian cities in defense of the homeland and the values of justice and freedom, and to ward off extremism and subversive takfiri ideas.
The Syrians who forced out invaders and Ottoman and French occupiers in the past are able under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad to rid Syria of terrorists and their Takfiri project.
Independence Day will remain a guiding light to the Syrians who are today fighting valiantly to protect their homeland against the global conspiracy being hatched against the country.
K.Q.