Ismail died in November 1869 and a power struggle consequently ensued between his sons Ibrahim and Shibli.Firro 1992, p. 194. The former was recognized by Rashid Pasha as the mudir of Ara, prompting clashes between the latter's partisans within the family and its allied clans. The dispute was settled by the mediation of the authorities in Damascus and Shibli recognized his brother's leadership in January 1870. Early in his administration, Ibrahim captured as-Suwayda, the Al Hamdan's principal headquarters.Firro, ed. p. 155 The move consolidate Atrash dominance among the Druze sheikhs and expanded the family's territory. Peace ensued in Jabal Hauran in the following years, and although a Turkish qaimmaqam administered the qadaa, the Druze sheikhdom system was largely left alone by the authorities.
