AINTAB (anc. DoLICHE), a city of Anatolia just outside French mandated territory, pop. about 6o,000 (two-thirds are Muslim, mainly of Turkoman origin and there are 15,000 Arme nians). In ancient times (2nd Mil. B.C.) Aintab was in the Hittite area and is probably of Hittite origin. Duluk, the site of Doliche, famous for the worship of Zeus Dolichenus (Baal), is marked by a mound two hours distant to the north-west. In Crusading times its strong castle (Hamtab) was a strategic point of importance and was captured by Saladin in 1183. It served as the last base of Ibrahim Pasha before his victory over the Turks at Nezib, 25m. to the north-east (1839). In the winter of 1920-21 the armed opposition of the Turkish nationalists to the French occupation of north Syria centred in Aintab which became the "Verdun of Anatolia." After an investment lasting six months, despite determined Turkish efforts to relieve it, the city surren dered to the French troops. France returned it to Anatolia under the Angora Treaty of Oct. 3o, 1921.
The modern city stands high (3,50oft.) in the open, treeless valley of the Sajur, a tributary of the Euphrates, some 65m. N.E. of Aleppo. Important educational and medical work is carried on by the American Mission Board in their college (founded 1874) and girls' seminary. There is also a Franciscan mission. Manufactures include striped dress materials (the chief of which is a mixture of silk and cotton), black goats' hair cloth for tents, morocco leather (sakhtiyan) made from goats' skins (it is esti mated that nearly 400,00o are tanned here annually), "Aleppo soap" made from olive oil, Pekmez, a sweet paste made from grapes, and the dyeing of yarns. The exports include pistachio nuts, tobacco, cotton and cereals.