Mardin During the National Struggle

People of Mardin, although Mardin was not directly invaded after the Armistice of Mudros, felt uneasy about the invasions of Urfa, Antep and Maraş initially by the British and then by the French. Due to this situation, associations named Kuvâ-yı Milliye (National Forces) and Müdafaa-i Milliye (National Defence) were established in Mardin. Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti (The Association for the Defence of Rights), organized in Mardin, fought against all kinds of incidents opposed to the nation and the country by leading chieftains, the notables, people and even non-Muslims in a short period of time. When the Southern provinces, İzmir and Istanbul were occupied, rallies were held in Mardin and telegraphs were sent to protest. Besides, the separatist policies to be carried out in the region to interrupt the National Struggle were not allowed. As a matter of fact, the public opinion in Mardin, displayed the same standing and sensitivity reacting against the agreement of Sherif Pasha, who was acting on behalf of the Kurdish Teali Society, with the Armenian Boğos Nubar Pasha. However, Mardin Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti (The Mardin Association for the Defence of Rights) stated that first the British occupation in the South-eastern Anatolia Region and then the French occupation was wrongful and unjust, and showed that Muslim people would go down with guns firing to defend the homeland. The most remarkable example for the unwelcomed patronage and administration of a foreign state in the region was undoubtedly the national attitude toward the French Colonel Norman in Mardin. The intentions of Colonel Norman to cover up and justify the French occupation on the excuse of region’s being underdeveloped provoked people of Mardin, and as a result, Norman had to leave the city.

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