| Adwan Rebellion | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Sultan Adwan's forces |
| ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Sultan Adwan Majed Adwan Sayil al-Shahwān |
 Frederick Peake Emir Abdullah I of Jordan Mithqal Al-Fayez Shiekh Kraiem Al Nahar Sheikh Minwar Al Hadid | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
Adwan Ajarmah Bani Hamidah |
Arab Legion Bani Sakher Abbad Al-Karak Al-Hadid | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
300 horsemen 500 warriors[1] | 2 RAF Armored Cars | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 86 (including 13 women) | Unknown | ||||||
| About 100 killed, including Sheikh Sayil Al-Shahwan | |||||||
The Adwan Rebellion or the Balqa Revolt[1] was the largest uprising against the newly established Transjordanian government, headed by Mezhar Ruslan, during its first years.
The rebellion started due to a feud between the Adwan and the Bani Sakher tribes of the Balqa region led by Sultan Adwan and Mithqal Al-Fayez respectively. Mithqal was favored by Emir Abdullah and the Emir earned the ire of the Adwan for it. Emir Abdulah's attempt at reconciliation with the Adwan was rebuffed. The Adwan gained the sympathy of young urban Transjordanian intellectuals who began to demand a democratic rule and had been growing increasingly envious of the Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians, who monopolized key positions of Transjordanian government.
Sultan Adwan arrived in Amman in August 1923 at the head of an armed demonstration demanding a constitutional government under the slogan "Jordan for Jordanians". He negotiated with the Emir who agreed to replace the government but arrested three figures for conspiring against the state. In response, Sultan Adwan later advanced on Amman again and occupied two gendarmerie outposts. The Adwan were defeated in a fierce battle with the Emir's forces led by British officer Frederick Peake. As a result, the revolt leader, Sultan Adwan, fled to Syria with his sons. A general pardon in March 1924 brought the matter to an end.[1]