War of Independence Articles: “Activities Conducted on 9 November 1918” (Chapter 13)

Mustafa Kemal Pasha sent a telegram to the Ministry of War on 9 November, stating that since the 2nd and 7th Armies were abolished, the telegrams still sent on behalf of these armies were left behind and could not be processed, and he requested that the relevant parties be notified that the Group should be contacted. .

He signed this telegram as the Lightning Group Commander. The same thing was written in the signature section of other telegrams sent to Istanbul and subordinate unit commanders during the day. In other words, Mustafa Kemal Pasha thinks that his offer has been accepted and he will continue his duty as Yıldırım Group Commander.

From this information; There was a break or misunderstanding in the communication between Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Ahmet İzzet Pasha, the Ministry of War and the General Staff Presidency about which armies would be abolished. While Mustafa Kemal Pasha acted as if his proposal had been accepted, Ahmet İzzet Pasha had a different opinion. It is understood that he made a decision, but the Ministry of War and the General Directorate of War did not learn about this decision in time.

For this reason, Mustafa Kemal Pasha was not a commander without an army on 7 or 8 November, as claimed in some sources. He does not know that he will leave the region on November 10. He continues to direct and manage the troops. He also ordered his subordinate units to comply with the order given by Ahmet İzzet Pasha regarding the surrender of Iskenderun to the British on November 9.

In accordance with the order given by Mustafa Kemal Pasha, a protocol was signed on the morning of November 9 between the Iskenderun Local Commander and the Allied Powers Iskenderun Naval Forces Chief regarding the surrender of the city. According to the protocol; Iskenderun will be completely evacuated on November 9. At 08:00 on November 10, 1918, the region, bounded by the peaks of the Amanos Mountains from east to south and the Gulf of Iskenderun from west to north, will be completely evacuated by the Ottoman army. Civil servants, police and port officials will remain in Iskenderun.

In accordance with this protocol, Iskenderun was occupied by the British without any conflict. Iskenderun was occupied by 5-10 sailors. It was reported to the Yıldırım Army Group by the 15th Corps Commander that the occupation zone passed south of Belen and that the Syrian border was assumed to pass through Payas by the representatives of the Allied Powers. Additionally, it was asked what should be done for the ammunition and materials in Topboğazı.

Thereupon, Mustafa Kemal Pasha stated that the 41st Division troops were ordered to move north via Kırıkhan, that the ammunition and materials in Topboğazı were to be transferred by the same route, and that it could not cover the Topboğazı vicinity since the occupation situation belonged to İskenderun. Towards midnight, Mustafa Kemal Pasha informed the General Staff Presidency with a telegram that Iskenderun was occupied at 13:00.