Today, 105 years ago, on July 24, 1920 (Lunar Calendar, June 9, 1920), the French army placed Syria under the control of the United Nations. French General Henry Goulot On July 24, 1920, the French army under the command of General Henry Goulot, today, after a fierce battle with the armies of the Syrian King Emil-Fezar, occupied Damascus. Fezar escaped, and his minister of combat was killed in battle. Goulot said that after Fezar refused to reduce his army size and recognize the French patronage of Syria, he ordered his army to move forward. The British Congress held in Saint-Ray had authorized France to oversee Syria. It is ironic that when the Arabs rose up against the Ottoman Empire, Britain would support Fezar as King.