He served as a
major during
World War I and was affiliated with the
Special Organization. After the Ottomans lost the war, he believed that the only route to salvation was to cooperate with the invading British forces, as he was loyal to the caliph, and he believed
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's
Turkish National Movement was not only blasphemous, but also would eventually fail and do nothing but anger the British-Greek forces.
First revolt The first uprising of Ahmet Anzavur occurred in
Manyas in October 1919. Anzavur's declaration to the people of Manyas was that he intended to capture or kill Hacim Muhittin Çarıklı, the Nationalist commander in the region of
Balıkesir. After avoiding talks with Nationalists about the cessation of hostilities, Anzavur and his men were labeled common criminals and tools of the British and the palace. Anzavur's forces took heavy losses and were forced to retreat north through
Susurluk, whilst being pursued by Köprülülü Hamdi. As winter approached, Anzavur disbanded his forces. Hostilities began again on 16 February 1920. As the vanguard of Anzavur's motley army entered Biga, shots rang out. Hamidi fled to a nearby weapons depot as the town fell to Anzavur, the men of the army and town embracing each other. Anzavur led the defense. Those who followed him, largely
Circassians and
Pomaks, were mostly armed with sticks and axes. Ethem was given 2,000 soldiers to do so. The danger was recognized by the Nationalist government. Ethem was called upon again, fresh from putting down Anzavur's rebellion. His forces retook Adapazarı and
Sapanca without a fight. The leader of the paramilitary groups was Arnavud Abdurrahman. Abdurrahman and his men ambushed and killed Ahmet Anzavur outside of
Karabiga. ==References==