Adwan Rebellion
Encyclopedia
Adwan Rebellion or the Balqa Revolt was the largest uprising against the newly installed Transjordanian government, headed by Mezhar Ruslan, during its first years. The rebellion was initiated in the early months of 1923, but was quickly crushed with the assistance of the British RAF. As a result, the revolt leader, Sultan al-Adwan, fled to Syria with his sons.
's position in Transjordan
were repeated Wahhabi incursions
from Najd
into southern parts of his territory. The emir was powerless to repel those raids by himself, thus the British maintained a military base, with a small air force, at Marka, close to Amman
. This force could have been easily used against the Wahhabi Ikhwan
. The British military, which was the primary obstacle against the Ikhwan
, and was also incorporated to help emir Abdullah
with the suppression of local rebellions at Kura
and later by Sultan al-Adwan.
, another trouble began to loom as the feud between Banu Sakhr bedouins, headed by Mithqal al-Fayez - especially favored by emir Abdullah
, and Adwan bedouins of Balqa, headed by Sultan al-Adwan. Dangerously exposes to the Wahhabi raids from Arabia
, emir Abdullah had not intention to alienate Sultan al-Adwan, even if he did pay a special attention to Banu Sakhr. Yet, when Abdullah attempted a reconciliation, paying a formal visit for Sultan al-Adwan, he was reportedly met with refusal. Opposing Abdullah's tribal policies, Sultan had received a support from an unexpected direction - educated members of young generation in the larger towns of Irbid, Salt and Karak, who began to criticize Abdullah authocracy and demanded a democratic rule. The new generation of urban intellectuals had been growing increasingly envious of the Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians, who monopolized key positions of Transjordanian government and administration.
In August 1923, Sultan arrived to Amman at the head of an armed demonstration, openly backing popular demands for a constitutional, parliamentary government and pressure the emir for some urgent economic issues, but actually showing "who were the real masters of the Balqa region" (i.e. the Adwan and not Banu Sakhr). Unprepared for the showdown, emir Abdullah received the bedouin leader, listened to his demands and promised his due consideration. To silence the opposition, the standing government was dismissed, and a new one formed. But, the defiance of established authority could not be allowed unpanished and Mustafa al-Tall and two other officials, who had backed Sultan al-Adwan, were arrested and accused of conspiracy against the state.
Unlike the previous time, Peake's forces were well prepared. Adwan's forces were defeated in a fierce battle and put to flight. The prisoners, taken among the attackers, were banished to Hejaz, while the Sultan and his sons fled to Syria, seeking refuge in Jebel Druze.
and Adwan rebellions made Abdullah understand the basic need for an effective armed force, even if such force was under British, rather than Arab command.
Some tribal unrests continued to simmer in the country for a few years after the suppression of Adwan insurrection. In 1926, the government had to send a force to suppress a rebellion in Wadi Musa, where the villagers refused to pay taxes and seized and looted the local gendarmerie post and government house.
Background
The most serious threats to emir AbdullahAbdullah I of Jordan
Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan [‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Husayn] عبد الله الأول بن الحسين born in Mecca, Second Saudi State, was the second of three sons of Sherif Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca and his first wife Abdiyya bint Abdullah...
's position in Transjordan
Transjordan
The Emirate of Transjordan was a former Ottoman territory in the Southern Levant that was part of the British Mandate of Palestine...
were repeated Wahhabi incursions
Ikhwan raids on Transjordan
Ikhwan raids on Transjordan were a series of plunders by the Ikhwan, irregular Arab tribesmen of Najd, on Transjordan between 1922 and 1924. The repeated Wahhabi incursions fron Najd into southern parts of his territory were the most serious threat to emir Abdullah's position in Transjordan...
from Najd
Najd
Najd or Nejd , literally Highland, is the central region of the Arabian Peninsula.-Boundaries :The Arabic word nejd literally means "upland" and was once applied to a variety of regions within the Arabian Peninsula...
into southern parts of his territory. The emir was powerless to repel those raids by himself, thus the British maintained a military base, with a small air force, at Marka, close to Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
. This force could have been easily used against the Wahhabi Ikhwan
Ikhwan
The Ikhwan was the Islamic religious militia which formed the main military force of the Arabian ruler Ibn Saud and played a key role in establishing him as ruler of most of the Arabian Peninsula, in his new state of Saudi Arabia. The Ikhwan were made up of Bedouin tribes...
. The British military, which was the primary obstacle against the Ikhwan
Ikhwan
The Ikhwan was the Islamic religious militia which formed the main military force of the Arabian ruler Ibn Saud and played a key role in establishing him as ruler of most of the Arabian Peninsula, in his new state of Saudi Arabia. The Ikhwan were made up of Bedouin tribes...
, and was also incorporated to help emir Abdullah
Abdullah I of Jordan
Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan [‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Husayn] عبد الله الأول بن الحسين born in Mecca, Second Saudi State, was the second of three sons of Sherif Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca and his first wife Abdiyya bint Abdullah...
with the suppression of local rebellions at Kura
Kura Rebellion
Kura Rebellion was among the first uprisings against the authority of emir Abdullah in Transjordan. The rebellion, begun in 1921, resulted in minor casualties and was at first pacified via negotiations and amnesty by the Hashemite ruler, but erupted again in 1923...
and later by Sultan al-Adwan.
Rebellion beginnings
With the end of the Kura affairKura Rebellion
Kura Rebellion was among the first uprisings against the authority of emir Abdullah in Transjordan. The rebellion, begun in 1921, resulted in minor casualties and was at first pacified via negotiations and amnesty by the Hashemite ruler, but erupted again in 1923...
, another trouble began to loom as the feud between Banu Sakhr bedouins, headed by Mithqal al-Fayez - especially favored by emir Abdullah
Abdullah I of Jordan
Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan [‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Husayn] عبد الله الأول بن الحسين born in Mecca, Second Saudi State, was the second of three sons of Sherif Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca and his first wife Abdiyya bint Abdullah...
, and Adwan bedouins of Balqa, headed by Sultan al-Adwan. Dangerously exposes to the Wahhabi raids from Arabia
Ikhwan raids on Transjordan
Ikhwan raids on Transjordan were a series of plunders by the Ikhwan, irregular Arab tribesmen of Najd, on Transjordan between 1922 and 1924. The repeated Wahhabi incursions fron Najd into southern parts of his territory were the most serious threat to emir Abdullah's position in Transjordan...
, emir Abdullah had not intention to alienate Sultan al-Adwan, even if he did pay a special attention to Banu Sakhr. Yet, when Abdullah attempted a reconciliation, paying a formal visit for Sultan al-Adwan, he was reportedly met with refusal. Opposing Abdullah's tribal policies, Sultan had received a support from an unexpected direction - educated members of young generation in the larger towns of Irbid, Salt and Karak, who began to criticize Abdullah authocracy and demanded a democratic rule. The new generation of urban intellectuals had been growing increasingly envious of the Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians, who monopolized key positions of Transjordanian government and administration.
In August 1923, Sultan arrived to Amman at the head of an armed demonstration, openly backing popular demands for a constitutional, parliamentary government and pressure the emir for some urgent economic issues, but actually showing "who were the real masters of the Balqa region" (i.e. the Adwan and not Banu Sakhr). Unprepared for the showdown, emir Abdullah received the bedouin leader, listened to his demands and promised his due consideration. To silence the opposition, the standing government was dismissed, and a new one formed. But, the defiance of established authority could not be allowed unpanished and Mustafa al-Tall and two other officials, who had backed Sultan al-Adwan, were arrested and accused of conspiracy against the state.
Sutlan's attack
Becoming fearful of the consequences of al-Tall's trial, the Sultan decided to strike first. He advanced on Amman in a full force, and occupied two gendarmerie outposts, at the western entrances to the capital.Unlike the previous time, Peake's forces were well prepared. Adwan's forces were defeated in a fierce battle and put to flight. The prisoners, taken among the attackers, were banished to Hejaz, while the Sultan and his sons fled to Syria, seeking refuge in Jebel Druze.
Aftermath
By March 1924, a general pardon permitted all Adwan exiles to return home. Both KuraKura Rebellion
Kura Rebellion was among the first uprisings against the authority of emir Abdullah in Transjordan. The rebellion, begun in 1921, resulted in minor casualties and was at first pacified via negotiations and amnesty by the Hashemite ruler, but erupted again in 1923...
and Adwan rebellions made Abdullah understand the basic need for an effective armed force, even if such force was under British, rather than Arab command.
Some tribal unrests continued to simmer in the country for a few years after the suppression of Adwan insurrection. In 1926, the government had to send a force to suppress a rebellion in Wadi Musa, where the villagers refused to pay taxes and seized and looted the local gendarmerie post and government house.