1917 Hijaz Railway Wadi Rum Jordan

I find myself for the third time on the 1917 Hijaz Railway in Wadi Rum, Jordan, a 45-minute interactive train ride recreating one of the most significant events of the 20th century. This ride not only offers a historical experience but also underscores the aftermath we are still witnessing today in Palestine. The Great Arab Revolt was an uprising against the Ottoman Empire, primarily aimed at achieving independence and a unified Arab state from Aleppo to Aden, with the support of Britain. However, history shows us that Britain reneged on this agreement with the Arab leaders through the Sykes-Picot Agreement, instead breaking up the region into a number of League of Nations mandates controlled by both Britain and France.

The Ottomans ruled over the Levant from 1516 to 1918, during which the people lived diverse and parallel lives with religion being one of the cornerstones of their distinctions. Arab nationalism dates back to at least 1821, with moderate attempts for reform by Arabs in the Ottoman Parliament proving unsuccessful due to the larger majority of Turks dominating with their national terms through coups and counter-coups during the early 1900s. This led to the first Arab Congress in 1913, demanding greater autonomy and equality within the Ottoman Empire. When the Ottomans joined World War I on the side of the Central Powers, Britain saw an opportunity to leverage Arab nationalism to persuade Arab leaders to join the Allies with the promise of independence.

In 1914, through an exchange of telegrams, Britain guaranteed the Arabs of the Hijaz independence rights and protection against foreign and external aggressions, particularly from the Ottomans. Over the next year, ten letters were exchanged where Hussein asked for money, weapons, ammunition, and food, which Britain agreed to provide in 1916. With this support, Hussein, along with his two sons Ali and Faisal, broke with the Ottoman Empire, sparking the Great Arab Revolt in June 1916 with battles in both Mecca and Medina. The revolt saw numerous battles on land and sea, with the Hijaz Railway being a crucial supply line for the Ottomans and hence a prime target for guerrilla attacks by the Allied Arabs.

The Hijaz Railway was attacked multiple times in 1917, significantly disrupting Ottoman supply lines. The success of the Great Arab Revolt, largely due to these strategic attacks, culminated in the Arab regular army attacking a well-defended railway station at Ma'an in April 1918. This, along with other significant offensives like Operation Hedgehog, severely crippled the Ottoman presence in the region. By September 1918, Ottoman, Austrian, and German troops had retreated, and the Arab Northern Army, along with various allied contingents, reached Damascus. The end of World War I saw the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces seize Palestine, Transjordan, Lebanon, large parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Syria. However, the subsequent division of the area under the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the issuance of the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which promised support for a Jewish national homeland in Palestine, led to long-term unrest and feelings of betrayal among the Arabs.

As we sit here and enjoy this interactive experience on the 1917 Hijaz Railway, it is evident that this historical event had long-term implications on the geopolitical landscape we see today. Seventy-six years of betrayal by Britain and France have led to the displacement of 750,000 people and ongoing atrocities against Palestinians by Zionist forces. We are witnessing daily atrocities, with estimates of up to 198,000 innocent people being killed. Understanding the context of this historical event is crucial, as it shaped the current situation in the Middle East. Despite the political undertones, it is important to recognize the significance of this history while experiencing the Hijaz Railway. Jordan is an amazing country, rich in history, and everyone should visit at least once in their life.

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