1. Overview
Nuri Killigil, also known as Nuri Pasha (1889-1949), was a prominent Ottoman general and later a Turkish businessman. He was the half-brother of Enver Pasha, the Ottoman Minister of War. Killigil's military career spanned World War I, where he played significant roles in the Libyan and Caucasus theaters. Following the war, he transitioned into industry, secretly engaging in the production of war materials. During World War II, he became involved with Nazi Germany in pursuit of Pan-Turkism ideals, attempting to foster closer ties between Germany and Turkey and advocate for the independence of Azerbaijan. His legacy remains controversial, particularly due to allegations of his responsibility for the Baku Massacre of Armenian civilians in 1918. He died in 1949 in an explosion at his factory in Istanbul.
2. Early Life and Background
Nuri Killigil was born in Istanbul in 1889. He was the half-brother of Enver Pasha, a key figure in the Young Turks movement and the Ottoman Minister of War during World War I. His early life and education prepared him for a military career within the Ottoman Army.
3. Military Career
Nuri Killigil served as a general in the Ottoman Army, participating in several significant engagements throughout his career, particularly during World War I and in the post-war period.
3.1. World War I
During World War I, Nuri Killigil undertook crucial military operations and leadership roles in different theaters.
3.1.1. Libya Campaign
In February 1915, as an Infantry Machine-Gun Captain, Nuri Efendi was dispatched to Ottoman Libya on a Greek ship, accompanied by Major Jafar al-Askari and 10,000 pieces of gold. His primary mission was to organize and coordinate the operations of Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa forces with local Libyan forces to counter the advancing Italian and British forces. They successfully landed on the coast between Tobruk and Sallum on February 21, 1915, and subsequently proceeded to meet Ahmed Sharif es Senussi in Sallum. In 1917, to consolidate the fragmented efforts against the British, the Ottoman General Staff established the "Africa Groups Command" (Afrika Grupları KomutanlığıTurkish). Lieutenant Colonel Nuri Bey was appointed as its first commander, with Staff Major Abdurrahman Nafiz Bey (Gürman) serving as his chief of staff.
3.1.2. Caucasus Campaign
Nuri Bey's elder brother, Enver Pasha, who was the commander of the Ottoman Army, recognized an opportunity in the Caucasus region following the Russian Revolution, which led to Russia's withdrawal from World War I. Enver Pasha recalled Nuri Bey from Libya, promoted him to the honorary rank of Mirliva Fahri Ferik (equivalent to an honorary Lieutenant General), and tasked him with forming and commanding the volunteer-based Islamic Army of the Caucasus. Nuri Bey arrived in Yelizavetpol (present-day Ganja) on May 25, 1918, and immediately began organizing his forces. The Army of Islam was officially constituted on July 10, 1918. The campaign to liberate the Caucasus commenced, marked by fierce fighting between the Bolshevik Baku Commune-Armenian Dashnaktsutyun forces and the Islamic Army of the Caucasus. Under Nuri Pasha's leadership, the Islamic Army of the Caucasus gained control of the entirety of Azerbaijan, including its capital, Baku, on September 15, 1918. However, following the Mudros Armistice on October 30, which ended the war for the Ottoman Empire, Nuri Pasha was compelled to abandon Azerbaijan.
3.1.3. Post-War Military Activities
At the conclusion of World War I, Nuri Killigil was apprehended by British troops and detained in Batum, awaiting trial for alleged wartime crimes. However, in August 1919, his supporters orchestrated an ambush on the guards escorting him, facilitating his escape to Erzurum. He continued his military activities by commanding an anti-Soviet uprising in Yelizavetpol in July 1920.
4. Later Life and Business Activities
After his military career, Nuri Killigil transitioned into civilian life, venturing into industrial pursuits. In 1938, he acquired a coal mining plant in Turkey. Under his ownership, the plant began producing various war materials, including guns, bullets, and gas masks. Although he publicly announced the cessation of weapons production at some point, he reportedly continued these activities in secret.
5. World War II and Pan-Turkism
During World War II, Nuri Killigil actively pursued his Pan-Turkist ideals, seeking to align with Nazi Germany. In 1941, he established contact with Franz von Papen, the Nazi ambassador in Ankara, with the aim of securing German support for the Pan-Turkic cause. With Killigil's assistance, the Schutzstaffel (SS) formed the Turkestan Legion, a foreign volunteer unit. Killigil spent time in Germany during the war, working to cultivate strong relationships between Nazi Germany and Turkey and advocating for the recognition of an independent Azerbaijan. Despite his efforts, these endeavors were ultimately unsuccessful. In September 1941, Killigil proposed organizing an anti-Soviet, Pan-Turkish uprising in the Caucasus, but the German authorities declined his offer.
6. Death
Nuri Killigil was killed on March 2, 1949, in a devastating explosion at his factory in Istanbul. The incident also resulted in the deaths of 28 other individuals. Due to the dismembered state of the bodies, a proper funeral ceremony was not held at the time, as it was considered contrary to religious beliefs regarding such remains. A formal funeral service for Killigil was eventually held only in 2016, 67 years after his death. This ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani politician Ganira Pashayeva and representatives from the Municipality of Istanbul.
7. Assessment and Controversies
Nuri Killigil's life and actions are subject to critical evaluation, particularly concerning his military conduct and political affiliations. His legacy is marked by significant controversies, including allegations of his involvement in massacres and his ties to extremist ideologies.
7.1. Baku Massacre
During the Caucasus Campaign in 1918, Nuri Killigil commanded the Islamic Army of the Caucasus during its capture of Baku. It is alleged that during this period, he presided over the massacre of approximately 30,000 Armenian civilians in the city. This event represents a grave human rights violation and remains a deeply controversial aspect of his military career, raising serious questions about his responsibility for the atrocities committed.
7.2. Historical Evaluation
Nuri Killigil's historical evaluation is complex and often critical. His pursuit of Pan-Turkist ideals and his attempts to forge alliances with Nazi Germany during World War II are viewed with significant scrutiny. These affiliations and ideological pursuits are seen as problematic, connecting him to authoritarian regimes and expansionist movements. His career is critically assessed for his involvement in military campaigns that resulted in civilian casualties, particularly the alleged massacre in Baku, and for his embrace of ideologies that were antithetical to democratic values and human rights.