Adham Khanjar
Encyclopedia
Adham Khanjar is a Lebanese
Shia rebel who participated in an attempt to assassinate General Gouraud
, the French High Commissioner
in Syria
and Lebanon.
, the French High Commissioner in Syria and Lebanon, on its way from Damascus
to Quneitra
. The general survived the attempt, but Commandant Branet was killed, and the governor of Damscus was wounded in the attack.
After the failed attempt, the band members fled to Transjordan
.
The military chauffeur was not killed, and succeeded in driving the car away from the Arab ambush—even with his tires shot, saving the day (he became a local bus driver after his military service in Roanne, France).
they thought to transport Khanjar, who was sent to Damascus in another convoy. The French responded by destroying Sultan's house and ordering his arrest. Sultan had to flee to Jordan
and launched raids against French posts. But he returned ten months later when he was pardoned.
Khanjar was put to trial and found guilty. He was executed the same year.
The people of Jabal al-Druze consider this incident an example of defending their values of protecting the fugitives, as they fought the French for Khanjar, a man they didn't know, who sought refuge in their territory. Khanjar's name is still mentioned today in the traditional songs of the area.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Shia rebel who participated in an attempt to assassinate General Gouraud
Henri Gouraud (soldier)
Henri Joseph Eugène Gouraud was a French general, best known for his leadership of the French Fourth Army at the end of the World War I.-Early life:...
, the French High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Lebanon.
Assassination Attempt
Khanjar joined a guerrilla band led by famous Syrian rebel Ahmed Mreywed. And on 23 June 1921, the band ambushed the car of General Henri GouraudHenri Gouraud (soldier)
Henri Joseph Eugène Gouraud was a French general, best known for his leadership of the French Fourth Army at the end of the World War I.-Early life:...
, the French High Commissioner in Syria and Lebanon, on its way from Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
to Quneitra
Quneitra
Quneitra is the largely destroyed and abandoned capital of the Quneitra Governorate in south-western Syria. It is situated in a high valley in the Golan Heights at an elevation of 1,010 metres above sea level...
. The general survived the attempt, but Commandant Branet was killed, and the governor of Damscus was wounded in the attack.
After the failed attempt, the band members fled to Transjordan
Transjordan
The Emirate of Transjordan was a former Ottoman territory in the Southern Levant that was part of the British Mandate of Palestine...
.
The military chauffeur was not killed, and succeeded in driving the car away from the Arab ambush—even with his tires shot, saving the day (he became a local bus driver after his military service in Roanne, France).
The Adham Khanjar Incident
On July 7, 1922, Khanjar arrived at the village of Al-Qrayya in southern Jabal al-Druze. Two French soldiers recognized and captured him while he was trying to get water at a well. Khanjar was transferred to Suwayda immediately. From his prison there, he sent a message to Sultan Pasha al-Atrash asking for his help, as he was seeking refuge at his house Al-Qrayya. Upon receiving the message, Sultan, who was in nearby village at that time, considered Khanjar's capture as a breach of the Druze traditions of protecting the fugitive, and an attack on him personally. Thus he demanded the release of Khanjar, but the French refused. A few days later, Sultan and his men attacked a French convoyConvoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
they thought to transport Khanjar, who was sent to Damascus in another convoy. The French responded by destroying Sultan's house and ordering his arrest. Sultan had to flee to Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
and launched raids against French posts. But he returned ten months later when he was pardoned.
Khanjar was put to trial and found guilty. He was executed the same year.
The people of Jabal al-Druze consider this incident an example of defending their values of protecting the fugitives, as they fought the French for Khanjar, a man they didn't know, who sought refuge in their territory. Khanjar's name is still mentioned today in the traditional songs of the area.