Adib ibn Hasan Shishakli (1909-1964) (Arabic: أديب بن حسن الشيشكلي) was a Syrian military leader. 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... The Arabic language ( ), or simply Arabic ( ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ...

Background

Syria

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Syria Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_Syria. ... Officially, Syria is a republic. ...

Constitution President Bashar al-Assad Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari People's Council Political parties Baath Party Elections Governorates Human rights Foreign relations Foreign aid

Other countries • Politics Portal view • talk • edit

Born to Kurdish parents in the western town of Hama, Syria, Shishakli served with the French Army during the mandate era. He studied at the Military Academy of Damascus (which later was located in Homs) and became an early member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) of Antune Saadah, promoting the concept of a Greater Syria. His brother Salah was also a prominent member of the SSNP. After independence, Shishakli fought in a volunteer Arab army, known as the Army of Deliverance, against the Zionist militias in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Shishakli's parents were not Kurdish ! This page lists presidents and other Heads of State of Syria. ... Bashar al-Assad (Arabic: ‎, ) (born September 11, 1965) is the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Regional Secretary of the Baath Party, and the son of former President Hafez al-Assad. ... This page lists prime ministers of Syria. ... Muhammad Naji al-Otari (born 1944) is the current prime minister of Syria. ... The Peoples Council (Majlis al-Shaab) is the parliament of Syria. ... Political parties in Syria lists political parties in Syria. ... Baath Party flag The Arab Socialist Bath Party (also spelled Baath or Baath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي) was founded in 1945 as a radical, secular Arab nationalist political party. ... Elections in Syria gives information on election and election results in Syria. ... Syria has fourteen governorates, or muhafazat (singular: muhafazah). ... According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2004 report on human rights, Syria’s human rights record remains poor. ... Ensuring national security, increasing influence among its Arab neighbors, and achieving a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace settlement, which includes the return of the Golan Heights, are the primary goals of President Bashar al-Assads foreign policy. ... This article lacks information on the importance of the subject matter. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Kurds are one of the Iranian peoples and speak Kurdish, a north-Western Iranian language related to Persian. ... The Orontes River and norias in Hama Hama (Arabic: حماه) is a city which is located on the Orontes river in central Syria, north of the city of Homs, midway between Damascus and Aleppo. ... The French Army (Armée de Terre) is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... SSNP flag The Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP, Arabic: الحزب السوري القومي الاجتماعي al-Hizb as-SÅ«rÄ« al-QawmÄ« al-Ijtimā`Ä«, often referred to in French as Parti Populaire Syrien) is a nationalist political party in Syria and Lebanon. ... Antun Saadah Antun Saadah (March 1, 1904-July 8, 1949) was a Lebanese social nationalist thinker and founder of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. ... Greater Syria, as claimed by Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) Greater Syria, also known (in a historic context) as Syria, or Bilad ash-Sham (Arabic: بلاد الشام) is an irredentist term that denotes a historic region in the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب) are an ethnic group who are predominantly speakers of the Arabic language, mainly found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ... Poster promoting a film about Jewish settlement in Palestine, 1930s: Toward a New Life (in Romanian),The Promised Land (in Hungarian), the small caption (bottom) reads First Palestinian film with sound Zionism is a political movement that supports a homeland for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, where... Combatants  Israel  Egypt  Syria Transjordan  Lebanon  Iraq Holy War Army Arab Liberation Army Commanders Yaakov Dori, Yigael Yadin Glubb Pasha Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni Hasan Salama. ...

Political/military career

The Arab defeat in that war was a motivating factor for the military coup d'êtat of Husni al-Za'im which had taken place soon after in 1949, shattering Syria's weak parliamentary system. Only months after al-Za'im's takeover, the weak ruler was overthrown by a group of officers connected to the SSNP, including Shishakli and Col. Sami al-Hinnawi, who led the new military junta. Za'im had betrayed the SSNP leader Antune Saadah, giving him to Lebanese authorities where he was tried and executed for wanting to destroy the modern state of Lebanon. An infuriated Shishakli co-launched the coup of 1949 to revenge Saadah's killing, and reportedly ripped off Za'im's bloodstained shirt and took it to Saadah's widow, who was still in Syria, telling her: "We have avenged his murder!" A coup détat (pronounced kÅ« dā ta), or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... Husni al-Zaim (1897 - 1949) (Arabic: حسني الزعيم) was a Syrian military man and politician. ... Colonel (Ger: Oberst) is a military rank, usually the highest below general grades, and just above Lieutenant Colonel. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Shishakli worked with Sami al-Hinnawi, the new de facto ruler of Syria who refused to assume power on his own and restored Syria's parliamentary system. Hinnnawi became chief-of-staff of the Syrian Army and the veteran nationalist Hashem al-Atassi, who had been president in the 1930s, to become prime minister, and then president of Syria. Atassi wanted to create union with Hashemite Iraq, something which Shishakli greatly opposed, claiming that Hinnawi was the drive behind pro-Hashemite sentiment in Syria. Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix Nationalism is an ideology [1] that holds that a nation is the fundamental unit for human social life, and takes precedence over any other social and political principles. ... President Hashim al-Atassi of Syria. ... Hashemite (Arabic هاشمي) traditionally refers to those belonging to the Banu Hashim, or clan of Hashem, a clan within the larger Quraish tribe. ...

Seizing power

In December 1949, Shishakli launched another coup, the third in 1949, arresting Hinnawi to break Hashemite influence in Syria, but keeping Atassi at his post. He then ordered the assassination of Colonel Mohammad Nasser, the Air Force Commander, because he threatened Shishakli's popularity in the Syrian Army. All of this greatly weakened the pro-union elements in Syria but they continued to try working for union through the cabinets of Prime Minister Nazim al-Kudsi. Shishakli conditioned that all governments must include his right-hand-man Fawzi Selu as minister of defense, to curb Hashemite influence in the Syrian government. When Prime Minister Maarouf al-Dawalibi, a pro-Iraq politician from Aleppo, refused, Shishakli responded on November 28, 1951. He arrested Dawalibi and his entire cabinet, in addition to all pro-Iraq politicians in Syria, including the leaders of the People's Party, Nazim al-Kudsi and Rushdi al-Kikhiya. In protest, Atassi resigned from office and moved into the opposition. Pleased to get rid of this stubborn nationalist, who rejected officer intervention in political affairs, Shishakli made his comrade Selu the Chief-of-Staff of the Army, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Head of State. But in effect, Selu was nothing but a figurehead. Real powers lay in the hands of Adib al-Shishakli. Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... The President of Syria is commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, comprising some 400,000 troops upon mobilization. ... Nazim al-Kudsi (1906 February 7, 1998) was a Syrian Arab nationalist politician. ... General Selu at the opening of a conference for Arab Chambers of Commerce and Industry, held in Damascus in 1953. ...

Shishakli in power

Shishakli then dissolved all political parties and banned many newspapers, in a return to military rule. Among those to suffer persecution under his rule were the National Party of Damascus, the People's Party of Aleppo, the Communist Party, the Baath Party, and the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. He also outlawed all newspapers that were not pro-Shishakli, and banished the Baath leaders Akram al-Hawrani, Michel Aflaq, and Salah al-Bitar to Lebanon, where they then actively worked against his regime. He was a skilled public speaker, however, and relied greatly on the radio to transmit his speeches to every-day Syrians. In August 1952 he established an official government party, the Arab Liberation Movement, but it was boycotted by powerful representatives of the civilian political society, such as Hashim al-Atassi. The party was progressive, accepting women among its ranks and calling for a limited degree of socialism. Some said that he viewed himself as "an Arab Caesar." In mid-1953 Shishakli staged a referendum to elect himself President, but he was by now facing mounting dissent. The Syrian Communist Party evolved out of the Syrian-Lebanese Communist Party founded in 1924. ... Baath Party flag The Arab Socialist Bath Party (also spelled Baath or Baath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي) was founded in 1945 as a radical, secular Arab nationalist political party. ... Muslim Brotherhood symbol. ... Akram al-Hawrani (born Hama 1912, died Jordan 1996), was a Syrian politician who played a prominent role in the formation of a widespread populist, nationalist movement in Syria and in the rise of the Bath Party. ... Michel ‘Aflaq Michel ‘Aflaq (1910 - June 23, 1989) was the ideological founder of Ba’athism, a form of Arab nationalism. ... Salah al-Din al-Bitar (born Damascus 1912, died Paris 21 July 1980), was a Syrian politician who, with Michel Aflaq, founded the Arab Bath Party in the early 1940s. ... Look up Boycott in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... President Hashim al-Atassi Hashim (Bay Khalid) al-Atassi (1875 - Dec. ... Arab Socialism (ar. ... Caesar may refer to the following: Related to Ancient Roman times Caesar (title), a title used by Roman Emperors Julius Caesar (100 BC–44 BC), a famous politician and military leader He used the Caesar cipher in his military campaigns. ... A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... This page lists presidents and other Heads of State of Syria. ...

Foreign relations

As leader of Syria, Shishakli sought good relations with Western countries, and maintained Syria's uncompromising stance towards Israel. Syrian relations with the Hashemite monarchies of Jordan and Iraq were poor during his presidency, but he also looked with distrust at the rapid spread of Nasserism. Many believe that Nasser's Free Officer Revolution of 1952 in Egypt had been modeled after Shishakli's own coups of 1949 and 1951. Shishakli's relations were strong, however, with King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, his son King Saud, and King Talal of Jordan. Shishakli greatly liked King Talal, saying that he had no ambitions in Syria, unlike his father King Abdullah I or his son, King Hussein. Despite this, and in contrast with his pro-Western outlook and Kurdish background, Shishakli recognized the desires of Syria's Arab majority, and accordingly adopted a policy of pan-Arabism. He clashed frequently with the independent-minded Druze minority on the Jabal Druze mountain, accusing them of wanting to topple his regime using funds from Jordan, and in 1954 resorted to shelling Druze strongholds to put down resistance to his rule. See Occident (movement) for the French political movement. ... Hashemite (Arabic هاشمي) traditionally refers to those belonging to the Banu Hashim, or clan of Hashem, a clan within the larger Quraish tribe. ... Places where monarchies maintain rule appear in blue. ... Nasserism is an Arab political ideology based on the thinking of the Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. ... Gamal Abdel Nasser (January 15, 1918 – September 28, 1970; Arabic: جمال عبد الناصر name also transliterated as Jamal Abd al-Naser , Jamal Abd An-Nasser, and other variants) was the leader of Egypt from 1954 until his death in 1970. ... This is a list of kings of Saudi Arabia: King Abdul Aziz (Ibn Saud) (1902/1932-1953) King Saud, son of King Abdul Aziz (1953-1964) King Faisal, son of King Abdul Aziz (1964-1975) King Khalid, son of King Abdul Aziz (1975-1982) King Fahd, son of King Abdul... `Abd al-`AzÄ«z Ä€l Sa`Å«d (November 26 (?), 1880 - November 9, 1953) (Arabic: عبدالعزيز آل سعود) was the first monarch of Saudi Arabia. ... Saud bin Abdul Aziz bin Muhammad al Saud ruled the First Saudi State from the death of his father Abdul Aziz in 1803 until his own death in 1814. ... The Jordanian monarchy was set up in 1921, with help from the British. ... King Talal bin Abdullah (February 26, 1909 – July 7, 1972) was King of Jordan from July 20, 1951 until forced to abdicate due to health reasons (he suffered from schizophrenia) on August 11, 1952. ... Abdullah I of Jordan King Abdullah I of Jordan (1882 – July 20, 1951) (Arabic: عبد الله الأول), also known as Abdullah bin Husayn (Arabic: عبد الله بن حسين), was, successively, Emir of Trans-Jordan (1921–1946) under a British Mandate, then King of Transjordan (May 25, 1946–1949), and finally King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan... Hussein bin Talal (Arabic: حسين بن طلال) (November 14, 1935 - February 7, 1999) was the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 1952 to 1999. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب) are an ethnic group who are predominantly speakers of the Arabic language, mainly found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ... Pan-Arabism is a movement for unification among the Arab peoples and nations of the Middle East. ... Druze star Druze The Druze (also known as Druse; Arabic: darazÄ« درزي, pl. ... The western slopes of Jabal el Druze Jabal el Druze (Druze Mountain, also known as Jabal el Arab) (Arabic: جبل الدروز) is an 1803-metre mountain in southern Syria, in the As Suwaydā governorate (mohofazat Souweida). ...

His relations with both Britain and the US ran hot and cold. Britain courted Shishakli during the early period of his rule because they hoped Syria would join plans for a British-led Middle East Defense Organization. The United States offered Shishakli considerable sums of money to settle Palestian refugees in Syria and turn them into Syrians. Shishakli, although tempted by these offers of Western arms and money, did not take them. The Palestinian situation had soured Syrians on relations with the West. Syria wanted revenge rather than to accept defeat and repair Syria's damaged relations with the West and make peace with Israel.[1]

Downfall

Growing discontent eventually led to another coup, in which Shishakli was overthrown in February 1954. The plotters included members of the Syrian Communist Party, disgruntled Druze officers, Baath Party members, and possibly had Iraqi backing. He had also arrested a lot of active officers in the Syrian Army, including the rising young Adnan al-Malki, also a prominent Baathist. Leading the anti-Shishakli movement were former President Atassi and the veteran Druze leader Sultan al-Atrash. The largest anti-Shishakli conference had been held in Atassi's home in Homs. Shishakli had responded by arresting Atassi and Atrash's sons, Adnan and Mansur (both of whom were ranking politicians in Syria). The Syrian Communist Party evolved out of the Syrian-Lebanese Communist Party founded in 1924. ... Baath Party flag The Arab Socialist Bath Party (also spelled Baath or Baath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي) was founded in 1945 as a radical, secular Arab nationalist political party. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

When the insurgency reached its peak, Shishakli backed down, refusing to drag Syria into civil war. He fled to Lebanon, but when the Druze leader Kamal Jumblat threatened to kill him, he fled to Brazil. Prior to the union between Syria and Egypt in 1958, Shishakli toyed with the idea of returning to Syria to launch a coup d'état, using funds - ironically - provided by Iraq. The coup was foiled by Syrian intelligence and Shishakli was sentenced to death in absentia, although he never attended its hearings. An insurgency is an armed revolt or insurrection against an established civil or political authority, such as a constituted government or an occupation by an invading force. ... A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. ... Kamal Jumblat (1917 - 1977) was a Lebanese political figure. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

On September 27, 1964, Shishakli was assassinated in Brazil by a Syrian Druze who sought revenge for the bombardments of Jabal Druze ten years earlier who was ordered by then President Asad. After his assassination the Asad regime went on to murder all known male members of the Shishakli family around the world. There are only two known male members of his famliy alive today. Both of which carry a unique spelling of the surname Shishakli based on Shishaklis French passport. September 27 is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ...

When the Druze assailant died in 2005, the Druze welcomed him as a national hero in Syria because he had rid them of Shishakli's military regime.

Trivia

In the 1990s, he was depicted on screen for the first time in a TV series, played by the Syrian actor Usama al-Roumani.

Sources and further reading

• Joshua Landis, "Shishakli and the Druze: Integration and Intransigence," 1998

• Joshua Landis, "Early U.S. Policy toward Palestinian Refugees: the Syria Option," 2001

• Sami Moubayed Steel & Silk: Men and Women Who Shaped Syria 1900-2000 (Cune Press, 2005).