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The Revolt of Ahmet Anzavur was actually a series of revolts led by Ahmet Anzavur during the Turkish War of Independence.The forces under Anzavur’s command were made up of various ethnic groups with the bulk of the forces were of Circassian ethnicity. The “revolt” occurred October 1, 1918- November 25, 1920 was coordinated by British forces in regions of Biga, Bandırma, Karacabey and Kirmastı. These revolts were put down with some difficulty by nationalist forces.

Background
The Revolt of Ahmet Anzavur was a series of revolts from October 1919- November of 1920. These revolts were were loyal to the sultanate of The Ottoman Empire and opposed the Nationalist revolutionary government. These revolts would be put down by nationalist commanders each time they broke out.

Initial Uprising and Suppression
The first uprising of Ahmet Anzavur occurred in Manayas in the October of 1919. His declaration to the people of Manayas was that he shall raise a force to capture (or kill) Hacim Muhittin, the nationalist commander in the region of Balikesir. The forces he raised would be used to defend the power of the sultanate, located in Istanbul, from the growing threat of nationalist forces. Anzavur sent two telegrams in the following day, one to the sultan, and the other to Karesi Mustarrif Ali Riza stating “it is the duty of all true Muslims to defeat the nationalists”. The threat was well understood by the nationalists in the country, who immediately began to make prepartaions to counter Ahmet Anzavur’s movements. Proving to be serious about his threats Anzavur took a cohort of his followers to carry out attacks on government offices, and troops all the while bringing more men into his ranks during the November of 1919. After avoiding talks with nationalist about cessation of hostilities Anzavur and his men were labeled common criminals, and tools of the British, the palace, and the L.U.P. ( Liberty and Understanding Party ). The first actual battle of the rebellion occurred on November 15th north of Balikesir. Anzavur’s forces took heavy losses and were forced to retreat north through Susurluk, whilst being pursued by (Koprululu) Hamidi. By the twentieth fighting had broken out around Gonen, Manayas, Karacabey, Biga, and Susurluk. After one final engagements ending in the defeat of the rebellion Anzavur and his commanders disbanded as winter approached, melting into to surrounding areas.

Second Uprising and Suppression
After the harsh winter of 1920 Anzavur began recruiting for another campaign, this army would be known as The Army of Muhammad. Hostilities began again in February 16th 1920. As the vanguard of Anzavur’s motley army entered Biga shots rang out. Hamidi fled to a nearby weapons depot as the town fell to Anzavur, the men of the army and town embracing each other. His men refused to return to the town and shoot their fellow citizens, he then ordered his second in command, Kani Bey, to return to town and execute Kara Hasan. Kani carried out the order and gunned down Hasan and 13 others in cold blood. Hasan’s death angered the citizens of Biga. A mob of citizens attacked Kani Bey’s home; he escaped initially with the help of a neighbor but was cut down by the mobs bullets shortly after his flight. Hamidi was cornered, trying to link up with other military officers in the area, by Pomaks and tied, beaten, and killed by having his neck snapped. Anzavur’s ranks began to swell as the victory in Biga was consolidated over the following month. A committee of three local notables and paramilitary leaders was organized to handle local issues. Shortly after a former regional inspector named Simah Rifat Bey was sent to plead with locals to rejoin the nationalists, his pleas fell on deaf ears. By the middle of March a column of 500 nationalist troops was organized and sent to recapture Biga and the surrounding area. Anzavur led the defense against these troops those who followed him, mostly Circassians and Pomaks, were mostly armed with sticks and axes. After this defeat nationalist officers and soldiers began to desert their posts. Anzavur used this victory to recruit more fighters from the Gonen area. On April 4th troops led by Anzavur and Gavur Imam entered Gonen executing, and pillaging with little resistance. By the 6th Bandirma, Karacabey, and Kirmasti had fallen in rapid succession to The Army of Muhammad. As Anzavur pushed nationalist leaders in Southern Mamara knew the end was near. As the noose tightened Cirkes (Circassian) Ethem was called upon to bring the rebellion to heel. Ethem was given 2,000 soldiers to do so. On April 16th Anzavur was dealt a resounding defeat near the village of Yahyakoy. By the 19th of April Bandirma had fallen to Ethem, marking the gradual defeat of Anzavur and his forces. By the end of April Anzavur The Army of Muhammad had melted away, as at the end of the first rebellion, and Anzavur had returned to Istanbul on an English vessel.

final revolt and the Death of Ahmet Anzavur
With Anzavur’s defeat at Yahyakoy another revolt had broken out in the Adapazari region. The leaders of this rebellion were (Berzeg) Safer, (Maan) Koc, and (Maan) Ali (104). The missteps of nationalist forces allowed the scenario to play out similarly to the events of South Mamara. The danger of the situation was recognized by the Nationalist government and ordered to be put down. Ethem was called upon to do so, fresh from putting down Anzavur’s rebellion. His forces retook Adapazari, and Sabanca without a fight. On May 26th Ethem entered the town of Duzce and executed both (Berzeg) Safer, and (Maan) Koc; (Maan) Ali however managed to escape. With the outbreak of a revolt in Duzce the Loyalist government announced the creation of a new army to put down the national Kuva-yi Milliye, this army was to be comprised of 1,000 unemployed soldiers under the command of Sefik Pasa. It was announced on April 26th that Ahmet Anzavur would be given a command in the area. On May 4th Sefik Pasa arrived in Izmit with Anzavur arriving four days later with 500 men, he had recruited from Biga. Anzavur’s contributions to the fight were negligible, as he suffered a broken leg in a week of fighting with locals and nationalist forces. His forces continued to fight a while longer but were forced to retreat by the end of June (105). Anzavur faded into obscurity for about a year, until he began recruiting again. In the May of 1921 a group of pro-nationalist paramilitary leaders found out about Anzavur’s movements. The leader of the paramilitary groups was Arnavud Rahman. Rahman and his men ambushed and killed Ahmet Anzavur outside of Karabiga.