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What role did Arab forces play in the capture of Damascus in 1918?

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T.E. Lawrence T.E. Lawrence.

During the final stages of World War I, Arab forces played a significant role in the capture of Damascus in 1918 as part of a coordinated military effort against the Ottoman Empire.12

Under the general command of General Sir Edmund Allenby, an Arab army led by Faisal—the son of Sharif Hussein ibn Ali—advanced northward along the right flank of the British armies. This force, which included Syrian and other Arab officers and was supported by British liaison officers such as T.E. Lawrence, participated directly in the Syrian campaign that led to the city's liberation.12

The Arab forces' contribution was part of a broader strategy that had previously involved hit-and-run guerrilla operations, such as sabotaging the Damascus-to-Medina railway, which effectively tied down Ottoman troops and prevented them from reinforcing key positions. Following the defeat and evacuation of Ottoman forces in September 1918, Allenby installed an Arab military administration in Damascus under Faisal’s leadership.342