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Umm al-Zaytun (also spelled Umm ez-Zeitoun) is a village in the al-Suwayda Governorate in southwestern Syria. It is situated along the southeastern edge of the Lejah lava plateau, northwest of the city of al-Suwayda. Umm al-Zaytun had a population of 1,913 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are Druze.

Umm al-Zaytun Umm ez-Zeitoun
Village
Umm al-Zaytun Location in Syria
Coordinates: 32°54′21″N 36°36′20″E
Country	Syria
Governorate	as-Suwayda
District	Shahba
Subdistrict	Shahba
Population  (2004)[1]
• Total	1,913
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)

History

Umm al-Zaytun had been abandoned sometime in the middle Ottoman era, but was settled by Druze prior to 1810. It was one of the earliest Druze settlements in the Lejah plateau.[2] The village was controlled by the Bani Amer clan.[3]

In 1838, it was noted as a village, situated "the Luhf, east of the Lejah, i.e. in Wady el-Liwa".[4]

In 1839, Ibrahim Pasha, the Egyptian governor of Syria, sent a conscription expedition of 100 cavalry to subdue the Druze of Hauran. The latter engaged and destroyed Ibrahim Pasha's troops at Umm al-Zaytun.[5] The Egyptian army withdrew from Syria in 1841 and Ottoman rule was restored. Umm al-Zaytun joined the Hauran Druze Rebellion of 1910 was subdued by Ottoman troops commanded by Badr Khan Bey.[6]

Archaeology

Roman Empire-era structures are located in Umm al-Zaytun.[7] In particular are the ruins of a religious building with a large stone facade and a room with niches suited for statues.[7] The inscription found at the building date to 282 CE and mention and describe the building as a "sacred kalybe".[7] This type of building is relatively unique in Syria, being found only in Umm al-Zaytun and nearby Shaqqa and Hayyat.[7]

See also

• Druze in Syria

References

Bibliography

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