Occupation and Liberation of Urfa

After the Armistice of Mudros on 30 October 1918, the Entente Powers started large-scale occupations in the Ottoman lands. In this context, Urfa was first occupied by the British on 24 March 1919. The British brought Armenians disguised as soldiers with them and tried to attract the local tribes in the region to their side. With the Syrian Agreement of 15 September 1919, the British occupation of Urfa was replaced by the French occupation on 30 October 1919. The French occupation of the city was more violent than the British occupation. From the first day they entered Urfa, the French arbitrarily interfered in the affairs of the local government. Armenian volunteers brought from various places were placed in the Armenian neighborhood and Armenian excesses were tolerated. The silence of the Istanbul Government against the occupations led to the beginning of local organization in Urfa. Following the organization, armed resistance against the French occupation started on the night of 8-9 February 1920 under the leadership of Yüzbaşı Ali Saib Bey. The French, who agreed to leave the city as a result of the fierce battles, evacuated Urfa on 11 April 1920. When they left the city and arrived at Şebeke district, a major clash took place between them and the tribal forces. As a result of this clash, the French ended their occupation of Urfa with a great loss. In this study, the occupations in Urfa after the Armistice of Mudros as well as the resistance and liberation process of the city will be discussed.

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