Today in History – 27 January

The independence of Hatay

After World War I, the Sanjak of Alexandretta (İskenderun) was not made part of Turkey and, per paragraph 7 of the Treaty of Ankara signed with the French on 20 October 1921, it was put between the borders of the French Mandate of Syria. The agreement rendered Alexandretta special administrative status with Turkish and the Turkish Lira as its official language and monetary unit, respectively. The Treaty of Lausanne did not alter the borders between Turkey and Syria and preserved the autonomy of the Sanjak.

France’s withdrawal from Syria in 1936 introduced the possibility of ceding its authority over the Sanjak to Syria. Thereupon, the Turkish Government sternly expressed its rejection of such a fait accompli. When the negotiations held with France at the League of Nations assembly in Geneva bore no fruit, Turkey sent an official note to France on 9 October 1936 and demanded the recognition of the independence of the Sanjak of Alexandretta.

Reconvening in Geneva on 27 January 1937 upon Turkey’s persistence, the League of Nations recognized the independence of Hatay and ruled, upon the demand of France, to hold free elections. The pro-Turkish party run by Tayfur Sökmen and Abdurrahman Melek won the elections of August 13th. The Independent Republic of Hatay was proclaimed on 12 September 1938 and the new parliament subsequently voted to join Turkey on 3 June 1939.