The Role of Ali Cenani Bey in the Organization of the Southern Front in the National Struggle

Antep and its surroundings on the southern front where the National Struggle first started were first occupied by the British and then by the French, which lasted for about three years. In this study the role of Ali Cenani Bey, who witnessed a quarter of a century in Turkish political life, in organizing the southern front and in particular in the transition process of the city of Antep from occupation to independence will be emphasized. It is important that the organization against the occupations in and around Cilicia, imcluding Antep, started with the Cilician Society established in Istanbul in December 1918, and that Ali Cenani Bey, who is understood to be a member of this society, contributed to the transformation of this structure into the Antep Defense-Law Society. In addition to the Cilician Society, a serious line of defense and resistance was established in the region along with the formation of Islamiye Community founded in Antep, and Heyet-i Merkeziye, Kuvâ-yı Milliye and district organizations, which were formed by the transformation of this organization into a central structure. Ali Cenani Bey was also involved in this local organization starting from December 1918 until he was arrested by the British and sent to Malta on charges against him against the Armenians in May 1920. He could not take part in other resistance movements in the region. In the research, our doctoral thesis titled Life of Ali Cenani Bey and Parliamentary Activities (1872-1934), and the written sources on the history of the region and the city as well as the Antep Defense Bibliography will constitute the main source.

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