In this series, we are discussing the events of World War I that ultimately led to the partition of the Ottoman Empire.

This is episode 5-17: The British and Mesopotamia.

Before we get into the episode, let’s do a brief recap of where we are so far:

1. As the Gallipoli campaign ground into a bloody stalemate, the Allies explored alternative ideas
2. The British began negotiating with Sharif Hussein to rebel against the Ottomans
3. The British and French were also secretly negotiating with each other to divide the Middle East
4. Some believed an Arab Revolt could topple the Ottomans; others believed it a waste of time
5. The Allies were not willing to divert resources from Europe to fight in the Middle East
6. They believed the main focus of the war was Europe and the Ottomans were an afterthought

And with that, let’s begin our discussion of the Siege of Kut.

The Marshes of Mesopotamia

The Tigris River originates in the Taurus Mountains of Eastern Turkey. From there, it snakes its way through Anatolia, then down through Iraq, passing through the cities of Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra before emptying into the Persian Gulf.

Click here to continue reading…