Sidon Eyalet revolt (1834)


Sidon Eyalet Revolt refers to events in Ottoman Syria during the Syrian Peasant Revolt, when in parallel to the Peasant uprising in Palestine and Transjordan, Galilee-based rebels captured Safad and Tiberias in the eastern Galilee. The Hauran was also encompassed by the rebellion. In 1835, some Druze clans of Mount Lebanon rose in another revolt.

Timeline

In parallel to the Peasant uprising in Palestine and Transjordan, Galilee-based rebels captured Safad and Tiberias in the eastern Galilee. The Hauran was also encompassed by the rebellion.
The most severe events took place in Galilee, climaxing with the 1834 looting of Safed which was mostly an attack against the Jewish community of the city, which began on Sunday 15 June 1834, and lasted for the next 33 days. The governor of Safed and thirteen of the ringleaders were taken captive, summarily tried, and put to death. The district governor tried to quell the violent outbreak, but failed to do so and fled.
Upon arrival of Muhammad Ali was in Damascus Eyalet, he requested military assistance from Emir Bashir Shihab II of Mount Lebanon, via an emissary, Emir Shihab's son Amin. The arrival of Bashir's Druze troops followed intervention of foreign consuls. In late July 1834, Emir Bashir led his forces toward Galilee, but before advancing further southward, he made a number of proclamations advising that the rebels of Safad surrender. The rebel leadership in Safad agreed to negotiate and sent Sheikh Salih al-Tarshihi as an emissary to Bashir to arrange a meeting. Bashir invited the leaders of Safad to the village of Bint Jbeil where they agreed to surrender and submit to Egyptian authority. Afterward, Bashir arrived in Safad where he arranged for rebel leaders from nearby areas to surrender as well. Bashir's Druze forces under the command of his son Amin, entered Safad without resistance on 18 July 1834, making way for the displaced residents from its Jewish quarter to return. The instigators were arrested and later executed in Acre.
In 1835, some Druze clans of Mount Lebanon rose up in another revolt.