Selected Villages- al-Mazraa

Almazraa is a Syrian administrative district belonging to the As-Suwayda District in the As-Suwayda Governorate. Its population was 16,627 according to the 2004 census. Originally named As-Sijn (The Prison), it was later renamed Al-Mazra’a (The Farm) in commemoration of its proximity to the site of the Battle of Al-Mazra’a, where the ancestors of Jabal al-Arab (the Druze Mountain) fought a fierce battle, as documented in the memoirs of French generals. It is a historical and archaeological village.

The name “As-Sijn” is attributed to two theories:

The first is that there was an ancient spring that dried up, hence the name “As-Sijn.” The second is that there was an old prison there. Neither theory is certain, and the name was later changed to Al-Mazra’a. The village and its inhabitants are characterized by a pleasant, temperate climate and fertile agricultural lands where wheat, barley, legumes, and fruit trees such as olives and almonds are cultivated.

It is the center of a sub-district and has all social and economic services. The village of Al-Mazra’a houses several government colleges: the College of Agriculture, the College of Archaeology, and the College of Arabic Literature.

In addition, it has three primary schools, two preparatory schools, and three secondary schools (general, industrial, and arts). Al-Mazra’a also boasts an Arab cultural center due to its historical significance in the Battle of Al-Mazra’a. Furthermore, it provides all necessary services, including clinics, medical centers, consumer cooperatives, and retail outlets. As the district center, Al-Mazra’a houses all the government offices for the surrounding villages, including the civil registry, the district center, the district police station, and numerous other government buildings. Its historical importance is underscored by the abundance of Roman ruins, including houses, palaces, structures, water channels, reservoirs, and other Roman remains. The region is renowned for its Roman archaeological sites, making the town, villages, and towns, particularly in the Al-Lajat region, a veritable open-air museum. Many civilizations, including Roman, Greek, and Nabataean, have inhabited the area, and it contains numerous temples, monuments, and relics dating back thousands of years. The many Roman ruins in the town stand as testament to this rich history. The village’s deep history and established roots are evident in the Nabataean ruins and buildings.

The Battle of Al-Mazraa

Al-Mazraa played a very important and significant role in the Great Syrian Revolt. In fact, it was the primary force in defeating the French army in the famous Battle of Al-Mazraa. The French army suffered heavy losses and its strength collapsed in this battle. As a result, the Battle of Al-Mazraa saved all of Syria because it destroyed the army that was advancing north through Al-Mazraa to destroy Damascus. When the French army entered the Suwayda Governorate in southern Syria, led by General Michaud, the Druze rebels bravely confronted them, resulting in significant losses for the French army. The campaign commander was wounded before fleeing the battlefield. Very few French soldiers survived, either wounded or otherwise. The campaign was completely annihilated, and the French army suffered its greatest defeat in the Battle of Al-Mazraa. This battle is considered one of the most important battles of modern warfare. The French army possessed aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, machine guns, and artillery, while the heroic Druze rebels fought with Ottoman rifles, hunting rifles, swords, and axes, weapons they had acquired in previous victories against the Ottomans.

The victory of the Druze rebels against the French colonizers is remembered as a battle in which the heroic people of Jabal al-Arab wrote the most important lessons of courage, strength, pride, and patriotism in defense of their land, inscribing their names in history in letters of light.

Among the most important events recorded in history during the Great Syrian Revolt are the epics written by the women of this majestic mountain and the free men of Syria. One of the most significant aspects of this battle was the defeat of most of the French force coming from Jordan, which was heading to dismantle Damascus and northern Syria. This force was routed and annihilated in the Battle of al-Mazra’a. This battle was crucial in relieving pressure on the rest of Syria and keeping the Great Syrian Revolt burning, which had originally been ignited in Suwayda.