Greek Occupation in Yalova During the National Struggle (1920-1921)

On 30 October 1918, after the signing of the Armistice of Mondros, the Ottoman lands were occupied by the Entente states. Yalova District of İzmit Mutasarrıflığı was also under Greek occupation between 7-21 August and 5-9 September 1920 and between 15 September 1920 and 19 July 1921.After the Armistice of Mondros, Greek and Armenian gangs continued their massacres against Turks in and around Yalova.Especially with the occupation of the Yalova region, Greek soldiers joined the Greek and Armenian gangs, which led the atrocities in the region to reach a terrible dimension. The people of Yalova, who were not indifferent to what was happening, joined the Kuvâ-yı Milliye. Yalova Detached Company, under the command of the regular army, made significant contributions to the liberation of Western Anatolia from enemy occupation, in addition to Yalova. The Entente States were forced to act upon the atrocities committed by Greek military forces and Greek and Armenian gangs during the occupation. The reports of the commissions in charge of investigating the atrocities in the region showed the Greek atrocities to the whole world. With the fear of atrocities, the people of the region migrated to places where they could feel safe, especially Istanbul. During the migration, the Hilâl-i Ahmer Society provided important assistance in meeting the needs of the refugees. The Society informed the local and foreign public opinion with the booklets it published about the Greek atrocities during the occupation, and the Government of the Turkish Grand National Assembly informed the world parliaments with its decision. In this article, the Greek occupation and atrocities in Yalova during the National Struggle are analysed in line with archival documents.

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