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
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