Samsun clashes (1920)

The Samsun Clashes were military conflicts during the Turkish War of Independence which resulted with Turkish victory.

Background
After the Armistice of Mudros, British and French forces invaded Samsun on March 9, 1919. The ANZAC forces who came after the British forces stayed in the present-day Samsun Atatürk Anatolian High School. On February 1, 1920, while the people were gathering in front of Samsun Şehremanet and protesting the occupations, the Greeks, who were celebrating the docking of American warships in addition to the land troops at Samsun Port, occupied the Şehremanet building and the events escalated.

Clashes
Şefik Avni Pasha, who came to Samsun on May 7, 1920, assumed the command of the 15th Division and the division was rearmed with the help of the Grand National Assembly. After the 15th Division rearmed, this division clashed with British, French and Pontic rebels.

Aftermath
After these clashes and pressures, the British and French soldiers had to leave Samsun. After this withdrawal, things were easier for the Turks against the Greek rebels.