Kuva-yi Milliye

Kuva-yi Milliye was a Turkish nationalist irregular militia formed during the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923). Comprising local resistance fighters, they opposed occupying Allied forces and the partitioning of Turkey after World War I. Operating outside regular military structures, they used guerrilla tactics to defend Turkish territory and sovereignty. Their efforts contributed significantly to the eventual success of the national movement, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Essentially, Kuva-yi Milliye were grassroots fighters who prioritized national independence over official army protocols during a critical period of Turkish history.