The 1920 capture of Damascus was the final stage of the

Franco-Syrian War The Franco-Syrian War took place during 1920 between France and the Hashemite rulers of the newly established Arab Kingdom of Syria. During a series of engagements, which climaxed in the Battle of Maysalun, French forces defeated the forces of th ...

, when French forces captured Damascus with little resistance. The Arab Kingdom of Syria was brought to an end and the French mandate of Syria was put into effect. Shortly after, in September 1920, Damascus was established as the capital of the State of Damascus under French Mandate. The war of the Hashemites against the French, which erupted in January 1920, shortly became a devastating campaign for the new proclaimed Arab Kingdom of Syria. Worried about the results of a long bloody fight with the French, King Faisal himself surrendered on 14 July 1920, but his message would not reach King Faisal's defense minister Yusuf al-'Azma, who ignoring the King, led an army to Maysalun to defend Syria from French advance. The Battle of Maysalun resulted in a crushing Syrian defeat. The French troops later marched on Damascus and captured it on 24 July 1920.Eliezer Tauber. The Formation of Modern Syria and Iraq. Frank Cass and Co. Ltd. Portland, Oregon. 1995. French troops met little resistance from the inhabitants of Damascus, but there were shootouts between the French and residents of the Shaghour and Midan neighborhoods at the outset of the French entry. A Pro-French government under the leadership of Aladdin al-Droubi was installed the next day.

References

Franco-Syrian War 1920 in Mandatory Syria 20th century in Damascus July 1920 20th-century military history of France Sieges of Damascus Sieges involving France 20th-century sieges Battles in 1920 {{battle-stub