Draft:Persecution of Arabs during world war I

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Declined by AlphaBetaGamma 25 hours ago. Last edited by Citation bot 22 hours ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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The Ottoman persecution of Arabs during World War I encompasses a series of political, military, and administrative actions by the Ottoman Empire that resulted in widespread suffering and significant loss of life among Arab populations between 1914 and 1918. These actions included forced conscription, famine, executions of nationalists, and the violent suppression of the Arab Revolt.

Background

During World War I, the Ottoman Empire, aligned with the Central Powers, faced increasing Arab nationalist sentiment across its Arab provinces, including Greater Syria, the Hejaz, and Mesopotamia. The Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), which controlled the Ottoman government, viewed these movements with suspicion and responded with repressive policies aimed at maintaining control over the empire's Arab population.^[1]

Famine in Greater Syria

One of the most devastating consequences of Ottoman wartime policy was the Great Famine of Mount Lebanon (1915–1918), which spread across Greater Syria. An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people, primarily in present-day Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, died due to starvation and disease.^[2]

The famine was exacerbated by Ottoman requisitioning of food supplies, a blockade imposed by the Allied Powers, and internal transportation failures. Djemal Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Syria, has been heavily criticized for his role in worsening the crisis.^[3]

Repression of Arab Nationalists

The Ottoman authorities carried out mass arrests and public executions of Arab nationalists suspected of supporting independence or cooperating with the British. In 1915 and 1916, Djemal Pasha ordered the execution of dozens of Arab intellectuals and activists in Damascus and Beirut. May 6, known as Martyrs' Day, is commemorated in Lebanon and Syria to honor these individuals.^[4]

Forced Conscription and Labor Battalions

Arab men were subject to forced conscription into the Ottoman army. Many were sent to labor battalions (amele taburları), where they faced harsh conditions, inadequate supplies, and high mortality rates due to disease and mistreatment.^[5]

Suppression of the Arab Revolt

Following the outbreak of the Arab Revolt in 1916, Ottoman forces responded with punitive campaigns in the Hejaz and surrounding regions. Towns and villages accused of supporting the rebellion were subjected to military reprisals, including executions, looting, and destruction of property.^[6]

Tafas Massacre

In September 1918, as Ottoman forces retreated from advancing British and Arab troops, they massacred approximately 250 civilians in the town of Tafas in southern Syria. The atrocity was reportedly ordered by Sharif Bey, an Ottoman commander, to demoralize the pursuing forces.^[7]

Estimated Death Toll

While no exact figures are available, historians estimate that between 300,000 and 500,000 Arabs died as a result of Ottoman policies during World War I, including famine, executions, forced labor, and military repression.^[2]

Legacy

The memory of Ottoman persecution during World War I has left a lasting impact on Arab political identity and historical memory. Djemal Pasha is often referred to as the "Butcher of Syria" in Arab historiography, and the events of this period are cited as part of the broader narrative of Arab resistance against foreign rule.^[8]

References

^ "Rise of Arab nationalism - The Ottoman Empire". NZ History. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ ^a ^b "Was Capitalism the Crisis? Mount Lebanon's World War I Famine". Environment & Society Portal. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ "Remembering the Great Famine of Mount Lebanon (1914-1918)". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ "Martyrs/Separatists, Syrian and Lebanese". 1914-1918 Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ "Labour Battalions (Ottoman Empire/Middle East)". 1914-1918 Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ "The Great Arab Revolt". King Hussein of Jordan. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ "Tafas massacre". Wikipedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
^ "Cemal Paşa, Ahmed". 1914-1918 Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

External Links

[nzhistory-1] "Rise of Arab nationalism - The Ottoman Empire". NZ History. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[environmentandsociety-2] "Was Capitalism the Crisis? Mount Lebanon's World War I Famine". Environment & Society Portal. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[mem-3] "Remembering the Great Famine of Mount Lebanon (1914-1918)". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[1914-1918-online-4] "Martyrs/Separatists, Syrian and Lebanese". 1914-1918 Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[labourbattalions-5] "Labour Battalions (Ottoman Empire/Middle East)". 1914-1918 Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[kinghussein-6] "The Great Arab Revolt". King Hussein of Jordan. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[tafas-7] "Tafas massacre". Wikipedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

[cemal-8] "Cemal Paşa, Ahmed". 1914-1918 Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2025.

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