Arab Revolt Against Ottoman Rule Begins

Sharif Hussein bin Ali of Mecca launched the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule, supported by British gold, weapons, and advisors including T.E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia'). Arab irregular forces harassed Ottoman supply lines, captured Aqaba in July 1917, and supported Allenby's Palestine campaign. Britain had promised Hussein an independent Arab kingdom through the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, while simultaneously negotiating the conflicting Sykes-Picot Agreement with France.