Before the Ottoman Empire joined the war officially, it was learned that the English had been preparing for the occupation of Iraq from the Persian Gulf .In October 1914 the 16.Piyade Livasi of 6. English partyin Bombay had been changed for protecting Abadan petrol stations. Whwn Yavuz and Midilli ship bombarded Sivastopol and Odesa, England declared war against the Ottoman Empire in November 1914. Then he occupied fav near Sattularap.
The commander of Iraq and its neighbourhood Cavit Pasha ,sent two battalions from Baghdat and one from Bedre to Basra. And he had a barier built in the south-east of Basra to prevent English gunboats from passing through Sattularap River .The English attacked Ottoman lands around Seyhan and occupied there on 14th-15th October 1914. Thereupon Ottoman forces ,understanding that there was no way of defending Basra ,had to evacuate Basra and withdraw. Some notables of the city informed the English that Basra had been evacuated by Turks and they invited them to occupation. Thereupon Basra was occupied by English forces.
Some of the Ottoman forces withdrawing from Basra went to Firat Valley through Sevkul water and one another group went to Kurna along Sattularap. This sad situation created a deep affection in Istanbul. The commander of Iraq and its neighbourhood, Cavit Pasha complained about Iraq soldiers not showing courage and patience. So he demanded insistingly Turkish soldiers. Both for satisfying this demand and preparingfor the taken back of Basra ,it was ordered that two groups of foot-soldierswith two groups of machine guns from Istanbul and a regiment of foot soldiers with two groups of machine guns from the 35. Party of 12.army corps be sent to Iraq front.
The chief of Erken-i Ministry of War, Enver Pasha sent officials and gifts to Ibn Suud and Ibnurresid,who were in Arabistan,with the idea of struggling against the English occupation with the help of combatants that would be formed from people ,Basra Deputy Talib Bey appointed officals to this activity as well. But the developments couldnt go in accordance with Enver Pashas plans. The English occupied Korna in 1914 and the 38.Party commander Albay Suphi Bey ,45 officers and 989 soldiers were taken prisoner . Thereupon Staff Major Suleyman Askeri Bey, dealing with the works of tribes and emigrants under the ministry of the interior,was sent to Iraq. Suleyman Askeri Bey like Enver Pasha was of the opinion that he would make a stand against the English forces composing of tribes and combatants. Meanwhile the English had appointed the 12th English party from Egypt to Iraq as they found the power of 6th. English party inadequate. Cavid Pasha stated in his report ,about Kornas taken over by English, that they couldnt win the war due to the tribe soldiers running away ,Arab soldiers! Leaving their guns off and lack of Turkish soldiers and he withdrew to Satra-Ammareline with two battalions.
Suleyman Askeri Bey was appointed to the command of Iraq and its neighbourhood on promotion as colonel instead of Cavid Pasha .Suleyman Askeri Bey didnt give up the command although his foot was injured in Zubeyr War (20 January 1915). But regarding all possibilities ,it was ordered that 1. Kuvve-i Seferiye CommanderColonel Kazim Karabekir soon go to Baghdat instead of Askeri Bey .Askeri Bey believed that the English were made to leave the city in all correspondences so he accelerated his preperations. When he was defeated by the English in the conflicts taking place around Suaybe Bercisiyye forest in 12th-14th April 1915, he committed a suicide. Then the Colonel Nureddin Bey was appointed in place of him. After this war ,Ammar and Nasırıyye were taken over and so Baghdat way was opened to the English.
In September 1915 Kutul Ammare which was one of the district centers and has a great military importance was taken over by the English tribe under the command of General Townshend. Therefore Baghdat came across a great danger.resistance. After Kutu-l Ammare had fell under English Forces, General townshead made a move towards Baghdad. But when they were met by turkish forces in selman park (22/23 nov. 1915) they were routed and lost one third of their armies. So they had to withdraw toKutu-l Ammare. Having received information that an English army corps was dispatched from Basra to north to save English unities, Enver Phad commended that 13rd army corps formation including independent Cavalrymen live with 2nd and 6th infantry divisions must be shipped to Baghdad. He also commended that marshall Van derGoltz Pasha must begin to work with attribute of 6th army commender. Nevertheless, it was notified that 18th army corps must be immediately shipped from Hasankale toBaghdad. 9th army corps vice commender colonei Ali İhsan Bey must be promoted as 13rd army corps commender and move to Baghdad hastry.
English occupation forces, trapped to Kutu-l Ammare was ruined with so little losses thanks to van der Goltz Pashas direction and tactic which Ali İhsan Pasha accomplished by diciplining the disorder Ottoman unities within short time. Collusions breaking out March 7th 1916, had intensified inSabis location. The English had left 1000 dead that day in this location. Operation had continued 3 days. The victory was gained by moving with superior undrestanding of location and dicipline. The English forces withdrawned back to east by leaving their munitions and way ahead of weapon with thousands of dead and wounded people. In this war, the losses of Turk forces were stablished as 218 martyr and 962 wounded people In March the effect and enthusiasm of Sabis victory proved us worth immediately. Engish forces had turned back by leaving the hills, captured by them. The defeat zemzir had caused the English to weaken. Results of the measures, taken the English caught in Kutu-l Ammare, had exposed to hunger provisions had been detained by turk even though they followed the way of supplying provision by plane. So they tried to supply their neccesities on river dicle by ship. But the ship in which had a large quantity of provision enaugh to feed 5000 soldiers dream 2 months, was detained by Turk soldiers.
When Townshead understood that the operation of supplying provision not be useful, he offered to discuss submission situpilations to 6th army commender on 26th april 1916. At the and of the discussions begining on 26th April, including of 5 general, 481 officers 13100 English Forces accepted to surrender unconditionally.
Because of the Englishs surrender the balance: set up in favour of turk in region, wasnt profited much. Due to beginning of summer heat: Enver Pasha commended that 6th infantry of 13th army corps must be shipped from Baghdad to Iran by taking advantage of the Englishs not making a move for a long time even if they supplied new forces. Enver Pasha wasnt contended with that. He also commended that 2nd infantry and independent Cavalrymen live must be sent from Kutu-l Ammare to Iran. But 35th , 45th , 51st, and 52nd divisons must be left through the dicle. Sir Parcy had also presided at English comittee at first day the ideas disclosed during meetings had revealed that there was principles between 2 sides. And there was geographical, historical and rasical reasons why Turk committee wanted to leave inMusul land.
2nd meeting had been done on 21 March and Fethi Bey wanted Turkeys taking over by being considered by borders during ottoman government. And cox demanded both coast of river fırat included Musul city. At the 3rd session in March. Fethi Bey indicated he would introduce a new map to English committe by not accepting demands put forwards. He also demanded Beytus-Sebab one of the counties of colemerik and Revanduz village.
At the negotiation cox indicated that Musul city and both banks of river fırat. He dicleared that 3 cities belonging to Hakkari must be submitted to them. İf Turks didnt accept these demands, the best way would be shipped to cemiyet-i Akvan because of the issue taken in lozan. He called supporters to meeting to discuss these issues. Ali Fethi Bey expressed that he had not got any authority of acceptance. Thus Haliç conference was suspended without having any progress on 5th june. England applied to Cemiyet-i Akvan public secretary. He also demanded that the Musul issue must be discussed at the first day of conference. Public secretary accepted this proposal and reported to Ankara. So government sent Ali fethi bey including münir, salih, ihsak beys as councilor to paryicipate in discussion in Cemiyet-i Akvan in cenevre on 10th september 1924.
To be continued