Syria during the Second World War

This issue contains photographs of Syria in 1940 and the French colonial troops who were then in this country.

In 1920, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Syrian Arab Kingdom was formed with the center in Damascus. However, the independence of this state did not last very long — in 1922, the French army occupied the Syrian lands. In 1936, a treaty was signed between Syria and France providing for the independence of Syria, but in 1939 France refused to ratify it. In 1940, France itself was occupied by German troops, and Syria came under the control of the Vichy Regime.

Damascus, general view. Syria.

Women carry containers of water on their heads near Damascus. Syria.

"Camel cavalry" near Damascus. Syria.

Street scene, Damascus, Syria.

View of the city center of Aleppo from the height of the ramparts of the ancient citadel, built in the 4th century BC.

Top view of Aleppo, Syria.

Soldiers of the French expeditionary corps on the steps of the ancient fortress. Aleppo, Syria.

A soldier of the French expeditionary corps reads the newspaper Aleppo, Syria.

Garrison soldiers of the French Expeditionary Corps. Aleppo.

A Moroccan soldier of the French Expeditionary Force holds an Arab officer's steed inside a fortress in Aleppo.

Syrians are resting. Aleppo.

Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion. Homs, Syria.

Tunisian infantrymen are having lunch.

Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion are camping near Homs. Syria.

Ruins of ancient buildings. Syria.

Syrians near their homes. Bisse, Syria.

The settlement of Bisse, Syria.

Syrian children near Bisse, Syria.