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The Ankara Accord

An in-depth analysis of the 1921 Franco-Turkish Agreement, its territorial shifts, and lasting implications for the Near East.

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What is the Treaty?

A Pivotal Diplomatic Resolution

The Ankara Agreement, also known by several other names including the Accord of Ankara, the Franklin-Bouillon Agreement, or the Franco-Turkish Agreement of Ankara, represents a crucial diplomatic resolution. Signed on October 20, 1921, in the city of Ankara (then also known as Angora), this accord formally brought an end to the Franco-Turkish War, a significant conflict that emerged in the tumultuous period following World War I and the subsequent dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

Key Signatories and International Recognition

The treaty was formally executed by two principal representatives: Henry Franklin-Bouillon, a distinguished French diplomat acting on behalf of France, and Yusuf Kemal Bey, who served as the foreign minister for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The international community acknowledged the treaty's legitimacy through its registration in the League of Nations Treaty Series on August 30, 1926. This registration underscored its formal acceptance within the international legal and diplomatic framework of the post-World War I era.

Context of Post-War Geopolitical Realignments

This agreement materialized during a period of intense geopolitical restructuring and territorial redefinition, particularly concerning the former territories of the Ottoman Empire. It marked a pivotal moment in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey's determined efforts to assert its sovereignty and establish its national borders, effectively challenging and revising the earlier, more stringent territorial impositions outlined in the 1920 Treaty of Sรจvres.

Core Provisions

Cessation of Hostilities and Territorial Cessions

A fundamental aspect of the Ankara Agreement was France's official acknowledgment of the conclusion of the Franco-Turkish War. A direct and significant outcome of this recognition was France's decision to cede substantial geographical areas to Turkey. This transfer of territory represented a major revision of the post-Ottoman arrangements. While certain other French military units remained stationed in Turkey, these territorial cessions were made in exchange for specific economic concessions granted by the Turkish government.

Affirmation of Mandate Sovereignty

In a reciprocal diplomatic move, the Turkish government formally recognized French imperial sovereignty over the French Mandate of Syria. This provision was of paramount importance to France, as it solidified its administrative control and legitimate authority over this strategically vital region, even as it relinquished direct claims over specific northern territories to Turkey.

A Pragmatic Balance of Interests

The treaty exemplifies a pragmatic and carefully negotiated balance between the competing interests of France and Turkey. France, by withdrawing from certain areas, successfully secured valuable economic advantages and formal international recognition of its Syrian mandate. Concurrently, Turkey regained significant territories and strengthened its position amidst the ongoing Turkish War of Independence, thereby effectively challenging and altering the territorial dictates of the Treaty of Sรจvres.

Redrawing the Border

Significant Revision from Sรจvres

One of the most profound consequences of the Ankara Agreement was the fundamental alteration of the Syriaโ€“Turkey border. This boundary had been initially established by the 1920 Treaty of Sรจvres, but the 1921 accord introduced significant changes. This revision unequivocally favored Turkey, leading to the cession of extensive areas from the former Ottoman vilayets of Aleppo and Adana to Turkish control.

The following strategically important cities and districts were consequently transferred to Turkish sovereignty:

  • Adana
  • Osmaniye
  • Marash
  • Aintab
  • Kilis
  • Urfa
  • Mardin
  • Nusaybin
  • Jazirat ibn Umar (modern Cizre)

Detailed Demarcation of the New Line

The treaty meticulously outlined the precise trajectory of the newly established border. It commenced from the Mediterranean Sea, positioned immediately south of Payas, and extended eastward to Meidan Ekbis, which was explicitly designated to remain within Syrian territory. From Meidan Ekbis, the border was designed to curve towards the southeast, passing distinctly between Marsova (located in Syria's Sharran district) and the towns of Karnaba and Kilis (situated within Turkey).

Further to the east, the border was stipulated to intersect with the Baghdad Railway at Al-Rai. It would then meticulously follow the railway track to Nusaybin, with a critical provision: the border itself would lie on the Syrian side of the track, thereby ensuring that the railway infrastructure remained within Turkish territory. From Nusaybin, the demarcation continued along the historic old road leading to Jazirat ibn Umar. Similar to the railway, this road was also designated as Turkish territory, although the agreement explicitly granted both Turkey and Syria the right to utilize it.

Special Status

The Sanjak of Alexandretta's Unique Position

A particularly significant and forward-looking provision of the Ankara Agreement pertained to the Sanjak of Alexandretta, a region that corresponds to modern-day Hatay Province. Although geographically situated within the French Mandate of Syria, this area was accorded a unique and special administrative status. This arrangement was a direct response to its distinct demographic composition and its considerable strategic importance in the region.

Safeguarding Cultural and Linguistic Rights

To address and accommodate the substantial Turkish population within the Sanjak, which at the time constituted the largest single ethnoreligious group, the treaty explicitly mandated the official recognition of the Turkish language. Beyond linguistic recognition, the agreement also included comprehensive provisions specifically designed to foster and support the cultural development of the Turkish inhabitants, thereby ensuring the preservation of their heritage and distinct identity within the broader Syrian Mandate.

Enduring Turkish Sovereignty at Suleyman Shah's Tomb

Article 9 of the treaty contained a highly symbolic and historically resonant clause concerning the Tomb of Suleyman Shah. This revered burial site, traditionally held to be that of the grandfather of Osman I, the founder of the illustrious Ottoman Empire, was located within Syrian territory. The agreement unequivocally declared that this site, along with all its appurtenances, would remain the perpetual property of Turkey. Furthermore, Turkey was explicitly granted the right to appoint guardians for the tomb and, crucially, to hoist the Turkish flag there. This provision served as a powerful and enduring symbol of Turkish sovereignty and its deep historical connection to the region, even beyond its newly defined borders.

Lasting Legacy

A Stepping Stone to Broader Peace

The Ankara Agreement played an indispensable role in the broader peace process that unfolded in the aftermath of the Turkish War of Independence. The annulment of French claims over Turkish land, a direct consequence of this treaty, was subsequently and formally reaffirmed in the Armistice of Mudanya. This critical armistice served as a vital precursor, effectively paving the way for the negotiation and establishment of a more comprehensive and enduring peace settlement across the region.

Definitive Border Recognition

The new border between Syria and Turkey, meticulously defined and established by the 1921 Ankara Agreement, received its ultimate and definitive international recognition with the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. This subsequent treaty solidified the territorial changes and diplomatic resolutions that had been achieved through the Ankara Accord, thereby establishing the modern boundaries that have largely persisted between the two nations to the present day.

A Precedent for National Self-Determination

The Ankara Agreement stands as a compelling historical testament to the successful assertion of national sovereignty by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. It demonstrated a nascent national entity's capacity to effectively negotiate favorable terms with a major European power, even amidst the complex and often challenging landscape of post-World War I mandates and partitions. This achievement set a significant precedent for the principle of self-determination in a region undergoing profound and transformative political changes.

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References

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