Republic in Hatay Announced 84 years ago

The Turkish army set foot in Hatay in 1938, from where it was withdrawn after World War I. The Republic of Hatay was declared on September 2, 1938. Hatay to Turkey's accession process was thus started. Hatay, which has hosted many civilizations throughout history, came under Ottoman rule in 1516. Hatay, which is strategically important, came out of the hands of the Turks after the First World War. But Turkey, Hatay showed great effort to add to the motherland. Moreover, Hatay rejoined our lands not with war, but with diplomatic success.

AUTONOMOUS MANAGEMENT FOR HATAY

Hatay was occupied by the French after the Mondros Armistice Agreement signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Entente forces on 30 October 1918. France on 20 October 1921 Ankara Agreement signed with Turkey's Hatay, management France, stayed within the borders of Syria. However, according to the provisions of this agreement, an autonomous administration was to be established in Hatay, where the majority of them were Turks. All kinds of facilities would be provided to the Turks in the protection of their national culture and Turkish would be used as the official language. Thereupon, France registered Hatay and its surroundings with the League of Nations under the name of "Northern Syrian Government". Hatay has been internationally recognized as an autonomous administration. Balances in the region changed after France lifted its mandate on Syria and Lebanon in 1935. France transferred all its rights in the region to Syria on 9 November 1936. However, this did not please Turkey. Turkey, Ankara stated that the Treaty has been infringed. When the problem could not be solved, the issue was taken to the League of Nations.

TURKISH MILITARY ENTERED HATAY

Then he made another important move Turkey. Turkish soldiers piled on the Hatay border. The new situation that emerged caused France to approach the event more moderately. Atatürk had a great role in this. Determined to solve the problem of Hatay, Atatürk went to Mersin and Adana, regardless of the progress of his illness. He watched the official parades of Turkish soldiers on site. Its aim was to intimidate Syria and France. Atatürk's move soon worked. France showed goodwill by appointing a Turkish governor to Hatay instead of its own. France sat back on the table with Turkey in the next stage. As a result of the agreement, it was decided to protect the territorial integrity and political status of Hatay jointly. Thus, on 5 July 1938, the Turkish military entered Hatay. This meant a historical turning point. The Turkish brigade under the command of Staff Colonel Şükrü Kanatlı crossed the border from Payas and Hassa in the morning and reached Hatay. Years later, the news that the Turkish army set foot in Hatay took the people to the streets. Approximately 100 thousand people were waiting for the army at the entrance of the city. The Turkish brigade marched in the streets under shouts of "Long live the Turkish soldier, long live Atatürk".

'HATAY CUMHURİYETİ' İLAN EDİLDİ

Before long, the next step was taken. Elections were held on August 24, 1938. The elected assembly was opened on September 2, 1938 and the "Republic of Hatay" was declared. Tayfur Sökmen was elected as the first and also the last president of Hatay. The Assembly made Antakya its capital. Reyhanlı and Yayladağı were added to Hatay consisting of Antakya, İskenderun and Kırıkhan. The National Anthem was accepted as the national anthem. The flag of Hatay, on the other hand, was a red flag, similar to the Turkish flag that Atatürk determined, but inside the star. A year later, the Nazi threat began to emerge in Europe. This was the expected opportunity ... Upon the developments in Europe, France decided to withdraw its soldiers from Hatay. Just after that, the Hatay National Assembly convened to make its historical decision. Hatay unanimously on June 29, 1939, Turkey has agreed to join.