Zefta

Zefta (Egyptian Arabic: زفتى pronounced [ˈzeftæ], Coptic: ⲍⲉⲃⲉⲑⲉ Zevethe) is an Egyptian city in the Nile Delta, within the Gharbia governorate, and is the capital of the Zefta center. It is across the Nile from Mit Ghamr city of Ad Daqahliyah governorate. It has around 114,983 inhabitants. Zefta is known for its notable involvement in the 1919 Egyptian Revolution against British occupation. In March 1919, residents of the town, led by lawyer Youssef El-Guindy, declared Zefta a self-governing republic, an event later referred to as the "Republic of Zefta." The group took control of key facilities, including the police station, railway station, and telegraph office, and established a local council to manage the town’s affairs. A newspaper was also published under the republic’s name to communicate developments to the public. The initiative saw participation from a wide range of local residents, including farmers, merchants, and others. The republic lasted for approximately ten days before it was suppressed by British forces, including an Australian unit, on 29 March 1919.