The Domination Struggle Of Britain In The North Of Iraq After The First World War And Their Relations With Kurds

Authors : Resul YAVUZ

Pages : 117-144

View : 14 | Download : 15

Publication Date : 2018-01-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :With the withdrawal of Ottoman State from the Northern Iraq after the World War, Britain contacted with the local elements in order to control the areas where the Kurdish were living, especially in Mosul. The British administration in Iraq sent liaison officers to the region with the directives of London Government and began field work in order to be able to establish a satellite Kurdish state, including parts of Anatolia. The British administration in Baghdad, especially in Suleymaniye wanted to strengthen their dominance over Kurdish tribes by getting in touch with Kurdish tiribal chiefs, making promises and providing money, weapons and equipment.  A treaty with Sheik Mahmut Berzenci was signed in November, 1918 for this purpose. Although this policy did not work at the first stage, rebellion movements againts the British were seen for several reasons such as no clear decisions about the Kurdish in Paris in spring of 1919, struggle of Kurdish elements with each other and the real intentions of Britain. Although the British tried all elements including military and political forces to supress these rebellions they could not manage, there was no peace and tranquility in Mesopotamia with the rebellion attempts between Arabs in 1920.
Keywords : Britain, Kurdish tribal chiefs, Iraq, Mesopotamia, Major Noel