Arab migrations to the Levant

Arabs migrated to the Levant, which includes modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, from ancient times through today. These migrants came from many parts of the Middle East, especially the Arabian Peninsula. As early as the 9th century BCE, the Assyrians wrote about Arabs living in the Levant and Arabia.

Several important Arab groups and kingdoms appeared in the Levant over time. These included the Nabatean Kingdom in the southern Levant, the Itureans north of the Galilee, and the people of Palmyra, where Arabs and Arameans were a large part of the population. Powerful local Arab families, like the Emesene dynasty in what is now Homs, also emerged. Even a Roman emperor, Philip the Arab, came from the region.

After the death of Muhammad in 632 CE and the rise of the Rashidun Caliphate, Muslim forces took control of the Levant from the Byzantine Empire. This brought many Muslim families from Arabia to live in cities there. Some local people, like the Ghassanid Christian Arabs, moved away, leaving space for new settlers. This change also allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem after many years away.

During the Umayyad period, more Arabs settled in the Levant. By the end of the 7th century CE, around 250,000 Arabs had moved there, though they were still a small group compared to the local people. Later, political events caused more Arabs from the Middle East to move, leading to the rise of groups like the Druze. Even by the 11th century CE, most Muslims in the Levant were local people who had converted to Islam, not recent arrivals from Arabia. Studies of genetics show that many people today in the Levant are still closely related to people from the Bronze Age.

History and migrations

Arabs presence in the region under the Byzantines

See also: History of the Arabs

Before Muslims took control, many Arab people lived in the border areas and deserts of the Levant, such as the Negev desert, the Syrian Desert west of the Euphrates, and near Palmyra. The inner areas and cities like Palestine had many Christians, Jews, and Samaritans. Though local kingdoms tried to protect their borders, some Arab groups still moved in. By the 5th century, some Arab tribes had settled near Jerusalem. Trade was common, with caravans from Mecca traveling north, and some Arab families doing business in Gaza.

Arab groups like the Banu Judham and Banu Ghassan lived in Provincia Arabia, close to the borders of the Roman and later Byzantine Empires. The Banu Ghassan, who were allies of the Byzantines, set up a small kingdom in southern Syria and northern Transjordan, with their main city in Jabiya in the Golan.

Rashidun era (632–661 CE)

Main article: Muslim conquest of the Levant

After the death of Muhammad in 632 CE, the Rashidun Caliphate, led by Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab, quickly took control of the Levant. Within three years, Syria and Palestine were under Muslim rule. Muslims from Arabia began to live in Syrian towns after the conquest, though this was limited to the armies that had come. Some tribes settled in empty parts of towns rather than in the countryside.

Many people left cities like Damascus, Sidon, Arca, Byblos, and Beirut when Muslim forces arrived. The people of Antioch could stay and pay taxes or leave, and many chose to leave. In Damascus and other places, Muslims took over homes and land that had been left empty. In Hebron and Bayt 'Aynun, Umar kept a promise to Tamim al-Dari, giving him land there.

The Muslims set up a main army camp in Jabiyah in the Golan. After a disease killed many soldiers, only a few remained. The Ghassanids, who stayed Christian, were asked to pay taxes, but their leader argued they should be free, and Umar agreed. New settlers preferred cities like Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo over Jabiyah.

Muslim leaders took homes in cities across the Levant. In Damascus, Amr ibn al-As and Habib b. Maslama al-Fihri both owned homes. In Homs, a leader divided up empty areas for Muslims to live. In Tiberias, commanders and soldiers settled after battles. In Jerusalem, 'Umar allowed soldiers to stay after the people agreed to his terms.

Some Muslims were given land in the countryside around the Jordan River on the condition that they would work the land and pay a small tax on what they grew.

Umayyad era (661–750 CE)

The Umayyad Caliphate, which followed the Rashidun, made Syria its center and chose Damascus as its capital. The leaders wanted to keep Arab traditions strong while also following Islam. They settled tribes in new places to fill up areas and manage populations.

Mu'awiya, an early leader, settled Arab tribes and Persians in coastal Syria. After taking over Tripoli, he let Jews live there. In Balis, he replaced the people who left with new Arab converts.

During this time, Arab tribes became a big part of Palestine. The city of Ramla was built as a new capital for the area. Immigrants were often sent to new government centers, which helped spread Islam and Arab culture. The 'Amila tribe settled in Jabal al-Jalil, which is now part of south Lebanon and northern Israel, and became a major group there.

Fatimid era (909–1171 CE)

The Fatimid Caliphate encouraged Shi'ite immigrants to move to cities along the Levantine coast, such as Tyre, and areas around Tiberias.

Crusader era (1099–1187 CE)

Many Bedouin tribes were invited by the Crusaders to live in Samaria. Their arrival changed the local population, as some Samaritans converted to Islam or moved away. Bedouins also settled around Sebastia and gradually stopped moving around, choosing to live in towns and villages instead. This helped form the tribal way of life that exists in some rural areas today.

Impact

Islamization

The Arab migrations helped change the Holy Land's religions. As many Christians, Jews, and Samaritans moved away, many Muslim Arab settlers came to live there. Over time, many of the people who stayed turned to Islam. Christian groups stayed larger because they were well-organized. Jewish groups grew again because of new people moving in. Samaritan groups did not grow much and became smaller over time.