syrian politician nationalist leader half 20th century played major role establishing underground organization sought independence unity ottoman_empire arab territories chief envoy based close aide following success arab revolt opposed establishment french mandate syria chief commanders leading rebels brief capture damascus escaped death warrant syria returned following year served representative damascus main general strike vice president defected join party post independence period appointed syria ambassador jordan resigned protest seizure power following year president retired early life born damascus father second oldest sons influential official city district councils damascus 1890s prominent arabs serve imperial ottoman court constantinople family muslims claimed descent islamic prophet muhammad landowners possessing lands homes commercial venues native quarter village countryside damascus owned land village outside damascus maintained good relations local chiefs overthrown lost favor central authorities deposed sultan criticized revolutionary officers consequently family realigned arab nationalists syria opposed increased turkish nationalist efforts arabic speaking territories empire developed close ties hosted brother son damascus home attended preparatory school damascus attracted children elite produced future arab nationalists graduated son visited syria early lodged summer house outside damascus prior brothers joined movement underground society advocating arab independence ottomans movement secretary leader syrian independence movement hosted country house invited join reportedly agreed time organized meeting members chiefs intention gaining support planned arab rebellion ottomans launched uprisings ottomans prior meeting concluded offering nationalists backing short military support meeting kind afterward appointed personal secretary envoy post serve summer amid world war launched great arab revolt ottomans backing british military joined revolt moved served channel based damascus forces leading uprising ottomans defeated arab british forces reached damascus soon served advisers year founded legal political party syria pan independence sought unify ottoman held arab territories leadership period member representative damascus france invaded began occupying syria following battle july exiled kingdom left authority brother later serve aide position held years returning syria french issued amnesty political return member actively sought french authorities syria align country ruling iraq driven role great syrian revolt summer saw beginning great syrian revolt launched arab region southern syria men destroyed french column received letter july calling nationalists damascus join revolt subsequently joined following french defeat battle august began working chief advance revolt parts country outside set meeting damascus based nationalists home sides agreed work french syria following meeting conferred agreed bring damascus revolt initial attempt men headed damascus launch attack french forces assembled armed volunteers neighborhoods villages damascus including maintained particularly close ties local boss friend family early august urging formed militia effective rebel bands country french authorities informed nationalist rebel plans began wide scale arrest campaign city august nearly damascus nationalist leaders brothers managed evade arrest participated attacks alongside warriors french positions offices rebel commanders damascus respected fighting rebels french forces escalated devised operation control damascus french capturing citadel palace housed city french garrison housed french mandate high commissioner requested reinforcements men occupied fighting notified help delayed decided ahead nonetheless october assembled group group rebels inside damascus day launched operation men managed capture palace police station led band fighters base raid armenian refugee camp killing armenian refugees rebels accused typically allied french authorities participating french military assaults villages preceding weeks attacking forces swept city capturing police stations captured neighborhood forces increased size enthusiastic joined attacks damascus time rebel assault ordered aerial bombardment city leading destruction neighborhoods deaths hundreds damascus residents october rebels routed escaped target criticism rebel leaders said stated sought personal glory decided prematurely launch attack small numbers armed volunteers instead waiting arrival reinforcements numbered member damascus nationalist elite directly participate fighting ground early december chaired meeting rebel leaders village meeting launched scathing criticism rebel commander condemning heavy fines fees residents villages captured rebels taxes entirely directed major landowners city peasants defended skilled commander criticized leadership accused holding secret ambitions nonetheless ally managed expelled rebellion meeting stripped arms insignia subsequent french bombardment allowed escape punishment killed french raid weeks later defected french following expulsion younger brother killed action politician french mandatory rule revolt dissipated june sentenced death french military tribunal consequently fled march brother french authorities family properties bombed french revolt restored according historian inclusion amnesty list surprising reasons maintained strong relationship france chief rivals region british patrons held influence bosses popular quarters damascus french sought divide ranks rebels nationalist politicians leaders like relations subsequently grew tense accused funds revolt personal ventures founded national political party sought use diplomatic means end french rule helping draft constitution appointed vice president successfully ran parliament representative damascus national ticket winning run vote large margin january syrian nationalist sentiments french authorities suspended parliament appointed pro french president following arrest nationalist leaders general strike declared president speeches denouncing arrests including students local youths gathered home coordinated march french government headquarters protests led confronted security forces leaving street january led sermon mosque calling calm attendance nonetheless left attack french police station withdrawing mosque killed following day led funeral procession attended thousands mid february unrest spread syria authorities clashed syrian protesters cities commander levant declared martial law forbade public assemblies arrested deported february went win election seat president chief leader following year appointed serve governor defected join rival led colleague short lived cabinet prime minister justice minister prime minister cabinet served national economy agriculture minister post independence career syria independent joined pro western arab nationalist president assigned ambassador jordan ruled refused post saudi_arabia government opposed following seizure presidency resigned stepped president unsuccessful establishing significant support base damascus resigned political life april died
Nasib al-Bakri