The Arab Revolt of Jordan, also called the Arab Rebellion, is a fundamental episode in the country’s history, which we mention in posts as varied as that of Lawrence of Arabia or the train adventure in Wadi Rum. But what was this rebellion and why is it considered so important? Where can its development and consequences be best understood? In this post we talk about all of this.
A bit of history
In June 1916, the so-called Arab Revolt breaks out in Mecca. Until that moment, the Near East (a region that includes present-day Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan, among other countries) remained under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, in full decline and immersed in the First World War.
This difficult situation for the Ottoman Empire was taken advantage of by Hussein ibn Ali, the Sharif of Mecca (guardian of the sacred places of Islam and belonging to the Hashemite family) to declare himself king of the Arabs, with the intention of creating a new state that encompassed all the Arabs under Ottoman rule and who were developing an incipient nationalist sentiment.
All of this would have the approval of the Allied powers (France and Great Britain, mainly), enemies of the Ottomans in the First World War. In fact, the active participation of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) in the conflict is a good example of Western involvement in it.
From June 1916 to 1918, an armed conflict thus developed that spread not only through present-day Jordan, but also through its neighboring countries. However, Jordan was a key location on the board of operations of the conflict. In fact, the Battle of Aqaba (July 1917) is considered a milestone in the Rebellion, as it led to the fall of this strategic port into the hands of the allies and the Arabs, who already had Faysal I as their nationalist leader.
From 1918, the end of Ottoman rule over the region was agreed, although the panorama did not clear up immediately. An
In one of those protectorates, that of Palestine, the germ of present-day Jordan (the emirate of Transjordan) was integrated, with the Hashemite emir Abd Allah I at the head. In any case, in the collective memory of Jordanians, the Arab Revolt is a historical episode that makes the Jordanian population proud for having put an end to Ottoman domination.
What Vestiges Remain of the Arab Revolt
During your visit to Jordan, you are likely to see and hear references to the events of the Arab Revolt. Without a doubt, the city where it is most present is Aqaba: a large Arab flag (which is not exactly the Jordanian one, since it lacks the star on the red triangle) flies next to the port, recalling the famous battle that took place here. It was installed in 2017, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the battle. In addition, the city’s castle was also witness to this victory, taken by Arab raiders on camels, who expelled the Ottoman garrison stationed there.
On the other hand, in Wadi Rum the events of the Arab Revolt are still very present. And to understand it, there is nothing better than participating in the Hijaz train adventure: it is a recreation of the assault on this train by Arab troops, on a strategic railway line used by the Ottomans for the supply of troops and weapons.
In short: Aqaba and Wadi Rum are two destinations that will constantly bring the Arab Revolt to mind, and this will also be present in the stories about Lawrence of Arabia when you travel through the south of the country.
