Tunceli (Dersim) During the National Struggle

Dersim Sanjak, which was under the Mamuretulaziz Province during the First World War and the National Struggle, was comprised of Çemişkezek, Çarsancak, Ovacık, Nazımiye and Mazgirt districts. Due to its geographical location and sociological structure, Dersim (Tunceli) witnessed a number of social incidents during the Ottoman State and the early periods of the Republic. Following the occupations of Van and Bitlis by the Russians during the First World War, Dersim and its surroundings faced with the possibility of Russian occupation. Even though some tribes, which had had problems with local government all along and been under the influence of the Russian indoctrination in the region, revolted in the Eastern Dersim region, public order was established via the measures taken. In this process, to the contrary of the outbursts of some tribes, the Dersim tribes, acting with a sense of patriotism and the concern that the Russian occupation would include Dersim also, acted together with the Ottoman army and fought against the Russians with the militia they formed. When Antep, Urfa and Maraş were occupied by the French towards the end of 1919, telegrams of protest were sent from the Dersim Sanjak to the representatives of the Entente States, the Istanbul Government and the Representative Committee. In those telegrams signed by many leaders of the tribes, it was emphasized that the occupation of Izmir was against the Wilson’s Points; the outcome of the Paris Conference was disappointing, and the occupation in question could not be allowed. Due to the Koçgiri rebellion taken place during the National Struggle, there was instability in and around Dersim for a while. Having a political purpose rather than traditional banditry, The Koçgiri rebellion could not reach a wide social base and was taken under control in a short time.

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