WI: Algeria Emir Abdelkader Declared King of Syria?

What if Algeria Emir Abdelkader Declared King of Syria?

According to a book I'm reading a group of Sunni notables offered Abdelkader the kingship of Syria if he would led a rebellion against Ottoman rule. Abdelkader respectfully declined the offer. What if instead he accepted the request and took up arms to liberate Syria?

Abdelkader was good commander though a bit up in the years by the 1860's. My guess is Abdelkader would have the support of Syria's Christian community due to his attempts to save Christians during the 1860 Druze-Maronite Conflict. French support is also a possibility, he had very good relations with them at this point.

So do you think Abdelkader can drive out the Turks and create his own fiefdom similar to Muhammed Ali of Egypt? Or will he and his Syrian allies be crushed by the Turks?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelkader_El_Djezairi
 
What if Algeria Emir Abdelkader Declared King of Syria?

According to a book I'm reading a group of Sunni notables offered Abdelkader the kingship of Syria if he would led a rebellion against Ottoman rule. Abdelkader respectfully declined the offer. What if instead he accepted the request and took up arms to liberate Syria?

Abdelkader was good commander though a bit up in the years by the 1860's. My guess is Abdelkader would have the support of Syria's Christian community due to his attempts to save Christians during the 1860 Druze-Maronite Conflict. French support is also a possibility, he had very good relations with them at this point.

So do you think Abdelkader can drive out the Turks and create his own fiefdom similar to Muhammed Ali of Egypt? Or will he and his Syrian allies be crushed by the Turks?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelkader_El_Djezairi

Maybe Abdelkader and his new pan-Arab (or at least cross-Arab) nation fall under the influence of the French, who see them as a way to create a 'protectorate' over much of the Middle East. As a result, the French actively support Abdelkader, and perhaps he is able to unify much of the region.

Don't ask me for details, though. I'm not exactly good at that type of stuff.
 
Maybe Abdelkader and his new pan-Arab (or at least cross-Arab) nation fall under the influence of the French, who see them as a way to create a 'protectorate' over much of the Middle East. As a result, the French actively support Abdelkader, and perhaps he is able to unify much of the region.

Don't ask me for details, though. I'm not exactly good at that type of stuff.

Interesting idea thanks for the comment.:)
 
The question is how Muhammad Ali's dynasty reacts to this new kingdom? Do they join the Ottomans and strangle it in the cradle? Or do they support it? How does Britain react now that France is basically both sides of their "protectorate" over Egypt - one side in Syria and one in Algeria?
 
The question is how Muhammad Ali's dynasty reacts to this new kingdom? Do they join the Ottomans and strangle it in the cradle? Or do they support it? How does Britain react now that France is basically both sides of their "protectorate" over Egypt - one side in Syria and one in Algeria?

I'll take a few guesses. Hopeful someone else will come along, who knows more.

The Egyptians wouldn't approve of another dynasty developing in Syria. Its is very possible they would join up with the Ottomans to crush it like they did with the peoples of Arabia. In regard to Britain they would probably try to prevent a total Ottoman collapse. Implying Emir Abdelkader wins he could try to claim not just present day Syria but also parts of Jordan, Cilicia, Palestine, Iraq as all part of Greater Syria.
 
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