MINISTER OF INTERIOR FETHI OKYAR’S BLACK SEA TRIP DURING THE REBELLION OF PONTUS (28 JANUARY-25 MARCH 1922)

The Pontic Issue remained on the agenda during the years of National Struggle. The Pontic Greek gangs continued their activities in and around Samsun until the end of 1922. Grand National Assembly of Turkey (Parliament), the Government has taken some measures to suppress the rebellion of Pontus. The Central Army, founded in the late 1920s, took important measures against the activities of the Pontic gangs in 1921, but the result was not satisfactory enough. This struggle continued during the period of Fethi Okyar Bey (October 10, 1921 - October 4, 1922). In the 1922 spring, Fethi Bey carried out the Black Sea tour between 28 January-25 March 1922 to monitor the operation against the Ponticists. During this trip, he extended his visit to Trabzon, Giresun and Ordu. In this article, the struggle against the Pontic gangs will be examined within the frame of Fethi Bey's visit to the Black Se