Husni Al-Zaim

Husni Al-Zaim (1897 - 1949) (Arab: حسنيالزعيم) is a soldier and a politician Syria N.

Husni Al-Zaim is resulting from the Kurdish minority of Syria. It occupied an important station in the Othoman army. After the France instituted a mandate in Syria, Husni became leading French Army in the country. After the independence of Syria, he became Chief of Staff and carried out the Syrian army at the time of the Israeli-Arab war in 1948. The defeat of the Arab forces, deeply shook Syria and the confidence of the Syrians in the parliamentary democracy.

The March 30th 1949, Zaim proceeds to a Coup d'etat, the president Shukri Al-Kuwatli is briefly imprisoned before leaving in exile in Egypt. Some advance as one of the causes of this coup d'etat the will of Zaim to prevent a possible investigation for an embezzlement in the Syrian army suspecté by Al-kuwatli which notes the bad quality of food at the time of a visit at a station of the army. For its coup d'etat, Zaim received a discrete help of the American embassy, one also thinks that it was helped by the Syrian nationalist social Parti, even if even were not to him member of the party. Following the coup d'etat, two officers rose with the head of the country, Adib Chichakli and Sami Al-Hinnawi. The coup d'etat of Al-Zaim is the first coup d'etat which knew Syria and the Arab Monde.

Zaim did not use violent method to be essential in the country, it did not have recourse to the executions of the political opponents and there were few arrests of opponents, but in spite of that it was quickly made much enemies. Its proposal to give the right to vote with the women and to make them reveal raised a sharp opposition among the clergy. Its decision to increase the taxes disappointed many business men, and its will to sign a peace treaty with Israel and to take part in the construction of a pipeline with an American company irritated many nationalist Arabic.

After the escape of the leader and founder of PSNS, Antoun Saadé of the Lebanon, Zaim offers asylum to him by promising it to protect it. But Zaim betrays its promise and delivers Antoun Saadé to the Lebanese authorities, and after a short judgment, it is made carry out the July 8th 1949 day from now on considered as day of mourning among its partisans. The colonel Sami Al-Hinnawi, member of the PSNS, wants to avenge death for Saadé, it proceeds has a coup d'etat on August 14th, 1949, stops colonel Zaim and the fact of carrying out. The woman of Saadé, Juliette Al-myr receives a few days later an Al Hinnawi letter indicating to him that the death of her husband was avenged.

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