Fawzi al-Qawuqji
The last French troops left Syria in 1946 and the country regained its independence, and Bannud joined the newly established Syrian Army. When the 1948 Arab–Israeli War began, Bannud joined the Arab Liberation Army (ALA) under Fawzi al-Qawuqji, and became a commanding officer in the war. The Syrian 1st armoured squadron, under Bannud's leadership, was defeated in the Samakh region, but he was able to hold on to the Bridge of the Daughters of Jacob and the settlements of Mishmar HaYarden and Mishmar HaGolan. When Qawuqji resigned from his post, Bannud replaced him as commander of the ALA on 26 October 1948.