Architects of Syria's 1st and 2nd coups, Husni al-Zaim and Sami al-Hinnawi - 1949

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Image Source: Syrianhistory.com Archive

Sami al-Hinnawi, standing in the middle, was Husni al-Zaim's friend and colleague during the Palestine War of 1948. He helped Zaim come to power in March 1949. Zaim, standing left, became president in July but was toppled and killed by Hinnawi, over the betrayal of Antune Saadeh, founder of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP). Standing next to Hinnawi is Za'im's military escort Riad Kaylani. Standing to the left is Chief of Staff Abdullah Atfeh and carrying the Flag is the officer Nameq Kamal.