Al-'Al Explained

Al-'Al
Native Name:Arabic: الْعَال
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Syria#Syria Golan
Pushpin Map Caption:Al-'Al in Syria
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:Quneitra
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Quneitra
Subdivision Type3:Fiq District
Subdivision Type4:Region
Subdivision Name4:Golan Heights
Extinct Title:Destroyed
Extinct Date:June 10, 1967
Elevation M:366
Elevation Ft:1204
Coordinates:32.8031°N 35.7453°W

Al-'Al (Arabic: الْعَال|al-ʿĀl, trans. "the high place"), is a former Syrian village in the southern Golan Heights,[1] on the southern tributary of Wadi es-Samekh.[2] Israel occupied the area during the Six-Day War. The village was abandoned and dismantled.[1] [3]

During the French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, the name was spelt "El Al" on French maps.

History

Archaeological remains of several Roman and Greek artifacts at the site give evidence of ancient settlement.[2]

In 1812, the place was described as a "ruined village."[2] A modern village was probably established during the second half of the 19th century. In 1884, it was reported that the village contained 65 dwellings, including 320 inhabitants and was a "large, well-built village on the point of reviving."[2]

The Israeli settlement of Eliad was built nearby.

During the Yom Kippur War, the Syrian 5th Infantry Division set up a defence in depth strategy at the Al 'Al ridgeline.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/map_item.pl?data=/home/www/data/gmd/gmd7/g7462/g7462g/ct001957.jp2&style=gmd&itemLink=D?gmd:2:./temp/~ammem_fDHR::&title=Golan%20Heights%20and%20vicinity%20%3a%20October%201994 CIA map: Golan Heights and vicinity
  2. Book: Ancient synagogues: historical analysis and archaeological discovery. Dan Urman, Paul V. M. Flesher. Brill Publishers. 1998. 90-04-11254-5. 569–573.
  3. http://www.jawlan.org/english/images/map/map_big1.jpg Golan map
  4. Book: Arabs at war: military effectiveness, 1948–1991. Kenneth M. Pollack. Kenneth Pollack. University of Nebraska Press. 2004. 0-8032-8783-6. 493.