Secret Groups Working for the Resistance Movement in Anatolia in Istanbul During the Armistice Period

The officers, weapons, ammunition and other materials dispatched from Istanbul to Anatolia played a major role in the success of the Turkish War of Independence covering the years 1919-1922. The dispatchment in question was carried out by secret groups operating in Istanbul on behalf of Anatolia. The first of these groups, which also carried out intelligence and propaganda activities, was the Karakol Society, which had a prominent Unionist character. While the Anatolian resistance was evolving from the Unionist line to its own original line, the Moltke (Felah) group emerged in accordance with this new situation. The National Defense Organization (NDO), which was established by Ankara's directive upon the inadequacy of these two structures, was based on the infrastructure established by the Karakol Society but remained largely in line with the Ankara Government. However, a serious rivalry arose between NDO and the Felah Group. The relations of each of these groups with Ankara and with each other were quite complex and especially NDO experienced serious conflicts also within itself. On the other hand, the positive attitude of Ziya Pasha, the Minister of War of the last Istanbul Government, facilitated the activities of these groups.

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