| Official Name: | Umm al-Zaytun |
| Other Name: | Umm ez-Zeitoun |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Pushpin Map: | Syria |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Syria |
| Coordinates: | 32.9058°N 36.6056°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Governorate |
| Subdivision Name1: | as-Suwayda |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Shahba |
| Subdivision Type3: | Subdistrict |
| Subdivision Name3: | Shahba |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Population Total: | 1,913 |
| Population As Of: | 2004 |
| Timezone: | EET |
| Utc Offset: | +2 |
| Timezone Dst: | EEST |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +3 |
Umm al-Zaytun (also spelled Umm ez-Zeitoun) is a village in the al-Suwayda Governorate in southwestern Syria. It is situated along the southeastern edge of the Lejah lava plateau, northwest of the city of al-Suwayda. Umm al-Zaytun had a population of 1,913 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are Druze.
Umm al-Zaytun had been abandoned sometime in the middle Ottoman era, but was settled by Druze prior to 1810. It was one of the earliest Druze settlements in the Lejah plateau.[2] The village was controlled by the Bani Amer clan.[3]
In 1838, it was noted as a village, situated "the Luhf, east of the Lejah, i.e. in Wady el-Liwa".[4]
In 1839, Ibrahim Pasha, the Egyptian governor of Syria, sent a conscription expedition of 100 cavalry to subdue the Druze of Hauran. The latter engaged and destroyed Ibrahim Pasha's troops at Umm al-Zaytun.[5] The Egyptian army withdrew from Syria in 1841 and Ottoman rule was restored. Umm al-Zaytun joined the Hauran Druze Rebellion of 1910 was subdued by Ottoman troops commanded by Badr Khan Bey.[6]
Roman Empire-era structures are located in Umm al-Zaytun.[7] In particular are the ruins of a religious building with a large stone facade and a room with niches suited for statues.[7] The inscription found at the building date to 282 CE and mention and describe the building as a "sacred kalybe".[7] This type of building is relatively unique in Syria, being found only in Umm al-Zaytun and nearby Shaqqa and Hayyat.[7]
. Albert Socin. Palestine and Syria: Handbook for Travellers. 1876. Karl Baedeker.