The Role of the Arab British Military Alliance in Liberating the Levant from Ottoman-German Domination (1917-1918): a Historical Study on Materials of the Egyptian Press
Abstract
The study investigates how the alliance, led by Prince Faisal bin Hussein and General Allenby, coordinated military operations and achieved decisive victories in Palestine and Syria. It relies on Egyptian press sources to trace the unfolding of key military events and their political implications.
The purpose of the research paper is to examine the military and political role played by the Arab-British alliance in liberating the Levant from Ottoman-German domination during the final phase of World War I.
The scientific novelty of the research lies in its use of rare Egyptian press materials to document the course of Arab-British military cooperation and public perceptions at the time. These sources provide valuable insights into the strategies employed by the alliance, including siege tactics, gradual advances, and organised coordination between the Arab Northern Army and British forces. The study sheds light on how military success was achieved despite logistical challenges and fierce Ottoman-German resistance.
Conclusions. The Arab-British alliance played a pivotal role in dismantling Ottoman-German control in the Levant. Its victories, particularly the entry into Damascus, marked the collapse of centuries of Ottoman rule and reshaped the political landscape of the Arab East. The Egyptian press highlighted the heroism of Arab troops and British support, while also documenting rising tensions over post-war arrangements.
The study further explores the impact of these events on emerging Arab nationalism, showing how military success fostered hope for independence, despite the colonial ambitions of Britain and France. Agreements like Sykes-Picot and the Balfour Declaration undermined Arab expectations, leading to disillusionment and resistance. Nevertheless, the Arab-British alliance remains a significant chapter in modern Arab history, symbolizing a rare moment of effective military cooperation and shared purpose against imperial domination.
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