Diyarbakır During the National Struggle

Diyarbakır has been home to several civilizations throughout history due to its geographical location and economic potential. Being a route of deportation and immigrants during the First World War, it witnessed many significant incidents in that period. After signing the Armistice of Mudros, the British invaded Antep, Urfa and Maraş and tried to include Diyarbakır in the occupation area. To achieve that, the British strived to soften the influence of the Ottoman State in that region. Then, Antep, Urfa and Maraş were occupied by the French in accordance with the Syrian Contract signed on September 15, 1919. The French attempt to include the Diyarbakır province in the occupation area caused severe unrest and reactions in Diyarbakır. The occupation of the southern provinces and İzmir was condemned via rallies and protest telegrams in Diyarbakır and its surroundings. Especially the reactions to the occupation of Izmir, as in many cities, have paved the way for the flourishing of national consciousness and independence in Diyarbakir. In this process, the Associations named Müdafaa-i Vatan (the Defense of the Homeland) and Müdafaa-i Hukuk (the Defense of Rights) were established. Diyarbakir Kurdish Society was founded as a result of the uncertainty during the Armistice period in Diyarbakır, also the situation of the Ottoman State and the policies of the Entente States in the region. Diyarbakır Kurdish Society pursued an opposing policy against the Ottoman State and the National Struggle. However, public opinion in Diyarbakır opposed to separatist policies of the Kurdish Society and negotiation of Sherif Pasha, the representative of the Kurdish Teali Society, with the Armenian delegation at the Paris Conference, and preferred to support the National Struggle. In this context, during the National Struggle, Diyarbakır acted in favor of the National Struggle, and right after the military victories, rallies and victory parades were organized in Diyarbakır and affiliated towns.

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