Military Measures and Practices to Suppress the Sason Rebellion in the Republican Era

Authors : İsmet Türkmen, Fatih Erarslan

Pages : 69-102

Doi:10.54078/savsad.1668461

View : 131 | Download : 514

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, ensuring public order has been a primary concern for governing cadres. Internal security has played a crucial role in establishing state authority, maintaining safety, and ensuring the continuity of production. During the Early Republican Period, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the leadership showed great sensitivity to internal security issues. After the Treaty of Lausanne, the arrival of refugees at the borders and the irregular settlement of nomadic groups posed threats to internal security. In particular, in the eastern provinces, the ease with which tribes could be provoked through religious discourse and groups with unclear state affiliations along the borders made security efforts more challenging. During this period, the Gendarmerie played a key role in suppressing uprisings. Between 1924 and 1938, several revolts were quelled, particularly in Eastern Anatolia. The focus of this study, the Sason Rebellion (1934-1937), occurred with the incitement and support of Armenians both within and outside the country. Although recorded as a Kurdish tribal uprising, the British were also believed to be involved in the process. The Gendarmerie aimed to ensure public order and contribute to constructing a modern nation through the security measures it implemented. This article examines the security policies of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) governments, analyzing the state’s legal, economic, and administrative structures. The study is based on official archives, parliamentary records, and contemporary press sources.
Keywords : Asayiş, Millî güvenlik, İskan, Doğu illeri, Terör

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