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.
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]