Syrian Circassians

Circassians came to Syria in mid-1860s due to the fact that they were exiled during and after the Caucasus-Russian War as well as due to the settlement policy of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman administration had several goals in creating Circassian settlements here. The administration made use of the uncultivated lands with Circassians, who had higher  agricultural techniques compared to the local people. The Ottoman Empire benefited from Circassians, who had strong military tradition, against the rising independence movements of Druses who posed a problem for İstanbul. The number of Muslim population within the Ottoman Empire increased due to Circassians. Circassians were settled in places near the  Hejaz railway route planned to constructed, and thus the security of the railway was strived to be provided. For similar reasons, Circassians were settled in the areas with stream beds such as the Golan Heights, and thus these areas were secured.