Süleyman Askerî Bey fundamentally believed that success in Iraq could be achieved through guerrilla warfare conducted by local tribes and mujahideen rather than regular army operations. He was a renowned expert in guerrilla tactics. Having fought successfully against the
Italians in
Benghazi, he had also moved to
Western Thrace in 1913 during the second phase of the
Balkan Wars—after the initial defeat and the subsequent recovery of
Edirne—where he
established a robust government and organization, creating an environment for the peaceful coexistence of
Turks until the Ottoman-Bulgarian peace treaty. At the outbreak of World War I, while returning to
Istanbul from
Macedonia, he stopped in
Sofia and met with
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was serving as Military Attaché. Atatürk, identifying the Iraq Front as the weakest point and warning of serious future consequences, requested Süleyman Askerî Bey to speak with
Enver Pasha regarding his deployment there. Although Süleyman Askerî Bey agreed, Enver Pasha soon appointed him to the
Iraq Front. Operating in the Persian Gulf with the "Osmancık Battalion", he conducted raids against the British army alongside tribes loyal to the Ottoman cause. His appointment as commander was driven by his past successes, his previous service in the region, his role as head of the
Special Organization, and his proximity to Enver Pasha. Following the occupation of Basra, British forces advanced to capture the town of Qurna. There, Colonel Suphi Bey, commander of the 38th Division, along with 45 officers and 989 enlisted men, was taken prisoner. In response, Enver Pasha, the
Minister of War and deputy commander-in-chief, dispatched the "Osmancık Battalion"—formed by
Miralay Süleyman Askerî Bey (then responsible for Tribal and refugee affairs at the Ministry of Interior) and approximately 40-50 volunteer Ottoman officers from the Teşkilât-ı Mahsûsa—to the region on December 17, 1914. Süleyman Askerî Bey and his unit arrived in the theatre on December 17 and commenced operations to recapture Basra, adhering to his doctrine that local volunteer units would suffice for the struggle. The Osmancık Battalion's first serious engagement occurred at the
Battle of Rotah, which can be considered a success. Süleyman Askerî Bey aimed to advance from the north toward Qurna to expel the British entirely from Iraq. Conversely, the British commander, General Barrett, sought to draw Ottoman forces toward British artillery positions. The British primary objective was to maintain a strong stance against Ottoman assaults, prevent the dispersal of their troops, and retain the capability to launch counter-offensives. The General frequently gathered intelligence on Ottoman equipment and troop strength through scouts and collaborated with tribes nominally under Ottoman sovereignty, encouraging them to maintain a façade of loyalty to the Sultan. No major engagements occurred until January 3, 1915. On January 7, 1915, British forces attacked the Albu Muharamet positions but were forced to withdraw due to mounting casualties.
General Arthur Barrett requested reinforcements for his unit to counter potential Ottoman counter-attacks, receiving two infantry battalions and three artillery batteries, thereby strengthening his position. On January 12, 1915, the British gunboat , accompanied by another vessel, approached within two kilometers of Shedda and opened fire. During this engagement, a steam launch carrying Major Ata, commander of the flanking forces, was sunk by enemy fire. Major Ata and his crew managed to swim to shore. The British gunboat then bombarded the left bank and the area in the direction of the Rota Canal. Ottoman artillery responded to the British assault. Unable to overcome Ottoman resistance, the British vessels withdrew toward Qurna. At this juncture, Ottoman officers moved toward the Rota Canal, establishing a fortification line bounded by the Tigris on the right and the Rota Canal on the other side. On January 14, 1915, British forces concentrated and began deploying toward Saniye, subsequently occupying the village of Rota and Mezip Hill. Süleyman Askerî Bey successfully provoked the British into counter-attacking through small-scale harassment of their troops in Qurna. On January 16, 1915, Major Halim was appointed as detachment commander, while Captain Cemil and Captain Atıf were appointed as left and right wing commanders, respectively. The Baghdad Battalion of the 2nd Provisional Regiment was deployed on the right bank, replaced later by the Süleymaniye Mobile Gendarmerie Battalion. Maneuvers and reconnaissance continued until January 19, 1915. British commander
General Arthur Barrett instructed his troops to avoid crossing the Rota side. On January 20, 1915, Ottoman artillery opened fire on British units attacking from the left. Despite this, two British battalions continued their advance. Süleyman Askerî Bey deployed the battalion of the 26th Regiment to intercept them. While assessing the situation behind the Rota Canal, Süleyman Askerî Bey was wounded in the leg as he moved to lead an operation. Following engagements in water and marshes, the British began to withdraw, largely aided by other British units positioned at the Chifte Hills. Süleyman Askerî Bey's leg wound worsened, necessitating his transport to the Baghdad Military Hospital. In the First Battle of Rotah, enemy forces martyred Captain Cemil of Üsküdar and Captain Sefer Bey of the Osmancık Battalion and the 1st Infantry Regiment. Beyond combat, many soldiers were lost to hunger, heatstroke, and disease. In his report dated February 5, 1915, Süleyman Askerî Bey recorded 17 martyred (including two officers) and 68 wounded (including five officers), with 11 martyred and 38 wounded among tribal volunteers. British casualties were estimated at 400 dead and over 1,000 wounded. While the leg injury hampered Süleyman Askerî Bey's movements, the Osmancık Battalion's effectiveness in the First Battle of Rotah compelled the British to retreat to Qurna. However, the martyrdom of Captain Cemil and the wounding of Askerî Bey severely affected morale, leading to command disruptions that prevented the pursuit of retreating British forces. Süleyman Askerî Bey formulated a plan to recapture the Shatt al-Arab by splitting his forces. The central Tigris column was to fix the enemy, while the left-wing units in the Karun Valley were to divert British forces. The right-wing column was to launch an offensive from the Euphrates basin toward Basra to clear the north of Qurna. By sinking two British vessels south of the Rota River, Ottoman forces successfully impeded British maritime logistical support. The strategy involved seizing positions near oil fields in Iraq and Persia to weaken British capabilities. The deployment of the Osmancık Battalion in the First Battle of Rotah was instrumental in the first Turkish victory of the campaign, which, despite failing to recapture Basra and Qurna, halted the British northward expansion and gained vital time for the Ottoman army. Following Rotah, Süleyman Askerî Bey initiated the Battle of Shaiba with the intent of permanently expelling the British from Iraq. Combat began on the evening of April 11. The Euphrates group and mujahideen units advanced; British forces retreated initially due to the marshes in their rear. Tribal leaders such as Hümeyni of the Shammar and Sheikh Bedir repelled British Indian cavalry units. On the morning of April 12, 1915, British forces encountered the Euphrates group. The British commander, anticipating the Ottoman tactical plan, initially held fire, but Ottoman units engaged, pushing British forces back to their outposts. The 104th Regiment launched an assault on British positions for approximately thirty minutes. The offensive against fortified British positions at Berjisiyye and Shaiba continued for three days but ultimately proved unsuccessful. By the second day, more than half of the tribal volunteers had deserted, leaving the army weakened and sustaining heavy losses. On April 14, 1915, due to severe casualties, the remaining troops were forced to withdraw. Süleyman Askerî Bey was further devastated by the defection of tribal leader Uceymi Bey to the British forces. Ottoman defensive efforts near Berjisiyye failed due to attacks from British river flotillas positioned near the Sinaf marshes. Morale collapsed, and Ottoman forces fragmented. Some Arab units turned against the Ottoman troops, looting ammunition and weapons. Ali Bey, commander of the Euphrates group, requested a withdrawal, and after three days of combat, Ottoman units retreated toward Nasiriyah. Ottoman forces had entered the battle with 9,000 men; the commander's report to the General Staff recorded 5,028 casualties. Approximately 800 soldiers were captured. The defeat at Shaiba resulted in the total loss of Basra and its environs, which remained outside Ottoman control for the remainder of the war. During the retreat, a despairing Süleyman Askerî Bey committed suicide at the Berjisiyye woods. British General Townshend reported that the suicide occurred at Nasiriyah. Whether driven by profound grief or a sudden nervous breakdown, the betrayal by Arab tribes is considered a primary factor. Details regarding his suicide are scarce and found mainly in memoirs. Hamza Osman, a subordinate officer, noted Askerî Bey's profound distress and described the event: "
His eyes filled with tears as he threw himself onto a stretcher. He spoke harsh words to a tribal leader who had remained a spectator during the height of the battle despite being armed by the state. He ordered his aide-de-camp, Rüsuhi Bey, to prepare the carriage. As he entered, he dismissed First Lieutenant Fikri. Shortly after the carriage began to move, a gunshot was heard from within. Upon inspection, it was discovered that Süleyman Askerî Bey had committed suicide with his Nagant revolver.” His body was transported to the headquarters at Nahila at midnight and buried in his uniform. His death affected not only his soldiers but also prominent political figures.
İsmet İnönü remarked: "
He remained a fiery and dynamic person until his death.”
Celâl Bayar described him as a man who "
did not fear death and knew nothing of personal interest... He was a powerful personality who would gladly sacrifice everything for the motherland.” Posthumously, he was officially recognized as a martyr (şehit) by Decree No. 1040 and awarded the War Medal of Merit. On April 24, 1915,
Colonel 'Sakallı' Nureddin Bey was appointed to the Iraq General Command. On the British side, General
Charles Vere Ferrers Townshend replaced Barrett. Following the
Battle of Shaiba, British intelligence incited uprisings against the Ottomans, particularly in Shia-populated regions, weakening Ottoman authority and increasing British control.
(see Hilla uprising (1916)) == Summary and review ==