what continent is syria located in?
Asia
contradiction
 = = = The Levant and Syria = = = 

contradiction
 The majority of Syria 's population in the 12th century consisted of Sunni Muslims , typically from Arab or Kurdish backgrounds . There were also sizable Muslim communities of Twelver Shias , Druzes , and Alawites . The Ismaili presence was small and most were of Persian origin , having migrated from Alamut . They mostly resided in the mountainous area near the northern Syrian coastline . Large Christian communities existed in northern Syria , Palestine , Transjordan and Upper Mesopotamia . They were Aramaic @-@ speaking and indigenous to the area , mostly belonging to the Syriac Orthodox Church . They lived in villages of Christian or mixed Christian and Muslim population , monasteries , and in small towns where they appear to have been on friendly terms with their Muslim neighbors . Ideologically , they were led by the Patriarch of Antioch . 

entailment
 Modern Syria was first established in 1920 as the Arab Kingdom of Syria under King Faisal . This state was planned to be a new Arab kingdom , and not just Syrian , and the state espoused Arab nationalism and pan @-@ Islamic policies . However the British , who had helped establish the state after World War I , made a secret agreement with France and established the French Mandate of Syria and Lebanon . The area thereby functioned as one of France 's colonies , and the newly established state was viewed unfavorably by most Syrians , with many of them regarding it as a vessel of European imperialism . At this stage , some movements tried to establish a Syrian identity , most notably the Syrian Social Nationalist Party , or became advocates of communism and Islamism . The majority of Syrians continued to see themselves as Arabs rather than Syrians . 

contradiction
 = = = Relationship to mainland France and Muslim Algeria = = = 

contradiction
 = = = Expansion into Syria = = = 
