Hatay is one of the oldest settlements in Türkiye. Researchers indicate the settlement date as hundred thousand B.C. from their knowledge, and it can reach and date back to two and a half million years ago and the Middle Paleolithic Period. The research studies done between 1954 and 1966 years showed shreds of evidence which evidences obtained from Altınözü, Şenköy, Antakya, and Çevlik Boroughs and dated between 100.000 and 400.000 B.C. have indicated the site character as the Middle Palaeolithic Period. The vicinity of Yayladağı-Kışlak and the cave of Çevlik-Kanal, bones of the Homo-Sapiens Çevlikensis has been found in the vehicles and human remains which dated back to Upper Paleolithic Period and dated back to 40.000-11.000 BC. It is estimated that from the shreds of evidence, human life could lead to the years from before Christ, B.C. and after Christ, namely A.D.

It is understood from the findings from the excavations at different times in Cüdeyde, Bath Valley, Çatalhöyük, Atçana, Tainat Tumulus (pottery, female figures, whorl, bead, ornaments, mudbrick and quadrangular housewall, mining equipment, sickle, knives, stone seals, needles, driller, axe, spearheads, portal tomb found in Kırıkhan) that the state of Hatay is a widespread and active settlement in the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages. Later research showed that Amik Lake sometimes spread to larger areas during these ages; sometimes, it dried up, and the lake area remained plain for many years, and the Asi River changed its bed occasionally.

The remains of palace architecture seen in the settlements of the Amik Plain revealed that these settlements were organised in the form of principalities, as well as some information about the political structure and community life of the Bronze Age.

At the end of the Early Bronze Age, the seigniories in the Amik Plain were dominated by the Akkadians from Mesopotamia, but this sovereignty was short-lived. In the period after that, the turmoil was started with the influence of tribes from the north and continued until 1800 B.C. The region was within the territory of a seigniory affiliated with the Yamhad Kingdom, whose centre was Halpa (Aleppo) between 1800 and 1600 B.C. This seigniory, whose capital is Alalah (Atçana), was independent in internal affairs and dependent on the Yamhad Kingdom in foreign affairs. For a moment, the centre of the Yamhad Kingdom moved to Atçana, and King Hammurabi lived here in BC; the King Hammurabi built a palace surrounded by walls, dating back to 1780-1750 B.C., the ruins of which can be seen today. Hammurabi was replaced by a contemporary of the Babylonian King Hammurabi, and his sovereignty dates back to 1686 B.C. and was named Yarim-Lim.

The Hittite Kingdom that emerged in Central Anatolia during the Yarim-Lim period oriented military expedition to south and marched on the Yamhad Kingdom over the Amik Plain after gaining strength and unity. The military expedition was not concluded when the Hititte King Hattusil died in 1620 B.C. His son Murshil, who took his place, organised a new military expedition against the Yamhad Kingdom, conquered Atçana and its surroundings and Halpa City, and destroyed the city. He continued his military expedition, conquered Babylon, and returned to Hattusa with many captives. Antakya and its environs remained under Hittite sovereignty until Murşil's death. After his death, the sovereignties in the region rebelled against the Hittites. Atçana Sovereignty, headed by Prince Ilim-Ilimma and all Syrian cities has accepted Egyptians sovereignity in 1490s B.C and became subordinated to Pharaoh Tutmasis III.

In the mid-15th century BC, the Kingdom of Yamhad came under Hittite sovereignty. The Yamhad Kingdom and the other regional states could remain independent for a while during the II. Hattushil period, Suppiluliuma conquered these regions again. Later, by organising a second military expedition to Şuppiluliuma, he finalised the Hittite sovereignty in the region, and this situation remained until the 13th century BC. In the 13th century, during the reign of King Tukulti-Ninurta, the Assyrians conquered Southeastern Anatolia. When the Hittite Government was weakened in the 1200s BC, many statelets emerged in the region between the banks of the Euphrates and Konya in Southern Anatolia. These states with different ethnic origins, languages and traditions could not establish a political union for a long time. Only the Amik Plain and its environs were unified, and the Kingdom of Hattena was established with its centre in Kanula (Çatalhöyük near Kırıkhan).

In the 9th century BC, the Assyrians which was under the rule of King Assur-Nasir-Apli, entered the country of Hattena which country was under the authority of King Labarna, and the Assyrians came as far as Kanula. Later the government of the Hattena during the reign of King Salmanassar II, came entirely under the Assyrian control. After the Assyrians were weakened and divided into principalities, the Hittite princedoms formed a temporary union and lived in peace and freedom for a while. However after a short time, they came under the rule of the Urartians residing in the Van region. Assyrian King II Sargos period, who reigned between 721 and 705, these principalities were transformed into Assyrian Provinces. When the principalities asked for help from the Phrygians in Western Anatolia, the Assyrians increased the pressure and most of the people were transferred to the Assyrian country. After a while, the Hittite princedom dissolved and disappeared one by one.

It is accepted that Madova, the grandson of the Saka leader Partatuca and the ancestors of the Sakas, Turkmens/Oghuzs who chased the Cimmerians in the east of the Black Sea and the north of the Caucasus and crossed the Caucasian passes in the 680s, was the epic hero Afrasyab, or also known as Oghuz Khan. Sakas, a Turkish tribe, were the rulers of the region from China to the Carpathians, from Palestine to the Urals, and Oguz Khan was a great ruler. Oghuz Khan came to Palestine in 654 B.C. About ten years later, he captured the city of Antakya, with 306 gates, which the Turks called "Batak City", after a one-year siege. Oguz Khan entered the city with his sons, women, children and 90,000 soldiers and sat on a golden throne. After staying here for 18 years, he left in 626 B.C.

The armies of the Persian Empire, which was established in Iran in the middle of the 6th century, and expanded its sovereignty in a short time, were welcomed as saviours by the peoples of the Middle East, who were weary of the Babylonian and Assyrian oppression. During this period, there was no unrest or uprising in the region for a long time. During the reign of Darius I, the Persian kingdom was divided into 23 satraps and 127 provinces. During this period, Antakya and its surroundings were within the borders of the Cilician satrapy, whose centre was the city of Tars (Tarsus), and paid taxes to the Persian empire.

Alexander the Great, who crossed Anatolia in 334-333 B.C. and passed through the Gülek Strait to Çukurova, set up camp in Myriandros (today's Iskenderun), a coastal town at the northeastern end of the Mediterranean. Alexander the Great, who crossed Anatolia in 334-333 and passed through the Gülek Strait to Çukurova, set up camp in Myriandros (today's Iskenderun), a coastal town at the northeastern end of the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Persian Emperor Darius III, who was in the region, crossed the Amanos mountains, descended to the plain where today's Dörtyol is located, and took up battle formations on the banks of the Pinaros stream (Deliçay). Thereupon, Alexander returned to the Dörtyol plain. The two armies fought at the end of 333 B.C. in Issos, which is at the end of the bay, and Alexander defeated the Persian army heavily. Alexander, who later changed the name of Myriandros to "Alexandria" in memory of the victory, crossed the Amanos mountains and continued on her way through the Amik plain.

Establishment of Iskenderun, Antakya and Seleukeia Pieria

After Alexander died in 323 B.C., a struggle for influence broke out among her commanders. Finally, Seleucus defeated Antigonos in 312 B.C. and annexed the satraps in Assyria and Iran. He made the city of Seleukeia his centre on the banks of the Tigris. In 307 B.C., Antigonos founded a city on the banks of the Orontes River, on the road leading from the Mediterranean coast to the east, a little north of today's Antakya, and named this city "Antigonia". However, he died in the war with Seleucus Nicator in 301 BC. I. Seleucus Nikator founded the city of Seleukia (today's Samandağ-Çevlik) on the Mediterranean coast on 23 April 300 B.C. and moved the capital here, which until that day had been on the banks of the Tigris. A port was built within the city walls in Seleukeia. Later, The First Seleucus ordered the destruction of Antigonia and the construction of a new city further south, at the foot of the mountain (that is, where Antioch is today). The city's foundation was laid on 22 May 300 B.C., and when its construction was completed, the state centre was transferred here. Seleucus named the city "Antiokheia" after his father (or son). (This name changed to "Antakya" over time.)

The capital, Antakya, developed rapidly and gained a reputation as an essential centre in the world of that day. During the reign of Seleukos I, water channels were built, and water was brought to Antakya from the Defne (Harbiye) waterfalls. A water tank and distribution network were constructed in the city. These works continued under the following kings. The Egyptians occupied the town between 246 and 244 B.C.

Antakya was also an Olympic city. As far as known, the first one was 195 B.C. in Antakya and it continued to 6th century A.C.; magnificent Olympics were held between these years. The Olympics, which first started as a "festival" or "şenlik", were first institutionalised under the name of "festival" during the time of Claudius.

Antakya, which lived under the rule of the Armenian King Tigranes along with Syria from 83 B.C. to 69 B.C. and under Seleucid rule between 69-64 B.C., joined the Roman Empire in 64 B.C. and became the capital of the Syrian province of the empire. In 47 B.C., Caesar visited the city and built significant buildings. Roman Governor Cassius resisted the siege of the Parthians in Antioch again in 40-30 BC.

Christianity, which emerged in the first half of the 1st century A.C., spread outside Jerusalem for the first time in Antakya in the mid-30s. Those who believed in Jesus were first called "Christians" here, and the first church of Christianity was established in Antakya.

Christianity, which emerged in the first half of the 1st century AC, spread outside Jerusalem for the first time in Antakya in the mid-30s. Those who believed in Jesus were first called "Christians" here, and the first church of Christianity was established in Antakya.

In the 1st century AC, Antakya was the third largest city of the Roman Empire in terms of population, after Rome and Alexandria.

The port of El Mina, located at the mouth of the Orontes River and used since ancient times, was crucial for Antakya and, therefore, for the cities connected to it by trade routes. Until the 4th century, small ships could reach Antakya by river. When the Seleukeia Pieria port came into service, the weight of maritime trade shifted to this port. This port was also the most important military base of the Roman Empire in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Antakya was founded on the sloping land between the Asi River and Silpiyus Mountain. It had high, solid walls with 360 bastions and an inner castle on the hill. It was a financially and culturally wealthy city, as it was at the crossroads of critical main roads and had ports such as El Mina-Seleukeia-Iskenderun. There were many artistic structures, monuments, temples, theatres, hippodrome, baths, agora, and broad and ordered streets in and around the city. The floors of the houses of the rich and important people were decorated with mosaics unique works of art.

Antakya, the favourite city of the Romans and the eastern capital that hosted the empire from time to time, was occupied by the Sassanid ruler Shapur I in 256 and 260 A.D. After that, he lived under the rule of Palmyra in 261-272 A.D. At the beginning of the 4th century, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, Christianity became the dominant faith in the region. On the other hand, during the reign of Emperor Julian, which spanned the years 361-363, there was a fruitless and unsuccessful movement to revive the pagan faith in the city. In 395 or 396, the Huns, who went south and invaded Syria, came to Antakya and captured the city (or according to some sources besieged the city for a while) and then withdrew from the region.

In 395, the Roman Empire was divided into two, and Antakya remained within the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) borders.

Antakya is one of the cities most destroyed by earthquakes throughout history. Significant earthquakes occurred between 148 B.C., 130 B.C., between 83-90 B.C., between 35-37 A.D., 41-45 A.D., 115, 341, 365, 396, 458, 526, 528 A.D. and between 531-534 A.D., 532, 551, 557, 588, 589 A.D. The most severe earthquake that caused the most loss of life was the earthquake that occurred on the evening of 29 May 526 A.D. In this earthquake, 250,000 people died, and along with Antakya, Defne and Seleucia Pieria were destroyed. The quake in 528 A.D. was at least as severe as the previous one, but the loss of life was less.

Antakya, rebuilt after the earthquakes of 526 and 528 A.D., was invaded by the Iranians in 540 A.D. There was a plague epidemic in 542, and in 573, the Iranians devastated Antakya and its surroundings. Antakya, again under Iranian occupation between 611-628, is an important city for the Eastern Roman Empire and, despite all the destruction it suffered, it is still a city that attracts the attention of neighbouring states. The Islamic army under the command of Abu Ubeyde Ibn-ul Jarrah, who conquered Syria in 638, headed towards Antakya and the city was besieged. The town was taken over by agreement. Some people were given safety, and some were removed from the city. However, when the people broke the deal after the soldiers left, Abu Ubeyde sent forces again, and the town was taken over under the old peace conditions. A permanent border guard organization called "murabit" was established here. From here, raids were made to the Byzantine country.

Many castles were built in the region between 705-715. Between 661 and 750 (Umayyad period), Antakya was connected to Aleppo.

Antakya experienced a quiet period during the Abbasid period, and caliph Harun Rashid even visited Antakya. Between 843 and 849, Ibn Abu Davud had the ruined Iskenderun Castle repaired and partially restored. In the earthquake in 846 or 847, 20,000 people died in Antakya and Mosul. In the earthquake of 868, all the houses in Antakya and the castle bastions were destroyed.

Antakya, which came under the rule of the Tolunids in 877 and then the Ihshidis, was annexed to the Aleppo branch of the Hamdanids in 944. The city, besieged by the Byzantine army in 968, surrendered in 969. Thus, the Islamic period, which lasted for 631 years, ended. Ten thousand people died in the earthquake that occurred in Antakya in March 1054.

During the Abbasid period, a significant Turkish population accumulated in the region, and the Seljuk presence in the East was an essential factor in the spread of Turks. Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Şah, who made many conquests in Western Anatolia during this period, organized a raid from Anatolia to the south in 1074 and besieged Antakya during this raid. As a result, after making peace with Governor Isaac Komnenos in exchange for 20,000 gold coins, he lifted the siege and returned to Anatolia.

Philaretos Brachamios, the governor of Antakya in the following period, fed the people and administrators under his command up with her destructive and oppressive administration. Tired of his son's mismanagement, the city's notables took advantage of his visit to Urfa in 1084 and invited Süleyman Shah to Antakya. Suleyman Shah, who reached Antakya from Iznik in 12 days with 300 horseback riders, entered Antakya on 12 December 1084. He did not harm anyone in the city. Suleiman Shah promised to spare the people. He had all the captured prisoners released. Seeing this situation, those in the inner castle gave up their resistance and surrendered on 12 January 1085. After a while, Suleiman Shah, who had to fight against Mosul Emir Muslim, who asked him for taxes, won the war (12 June 1085). But a year later, her army was defeated in the battle she fought with the Seljuk ruler of Palestine, Tutuş, around Aleppo, and she died (June 1086). In the same year, Great Seljuk Sultan Melikşah came to Antakya and went as far as Süveydiye. He left the region after appointing Yağısıyan as governor of Antakya (1087).

In 1090 (or 1092), there was a severe earthquake in Antakya.

In the 1090s, Crusader armies appeared on the stage of history in Europe and went on a campaign towards the East. In 1097, the Crusaders, who crossed from Anatolia to Çukurova and reached the Iskenderun Bay, came to the front of Antakya through the Belen Pass after they took Iskenderun and besieged the city (21 October 1097). Another branch of this army came from Maraş, Amik, Artah, today's Reyhanlı and Demirköprü and joined the siege. Meanwhile, the Syrian Seljuks were in turmoil. Antioch resisted the siege for a long time and was finally captured by the Crusaders on 3 June 1098.

In the following periods, during the 1st and 2nd Crusades, the Syrian region came out of the hands of the Byzantines. Latins shared the area with Muslim principalities. During this period, a duchy (Principality of Antakya or County of Antakya) was established in Antakya, covering the region from the Ceyhan River to Latakia and connected to Jerusalem.

During this period, the population of Antakya spread over an area of 1,5 km wide and 5 km long between the Orontes River and Mount Silpius was estimated to be 100,000.

Antakya was captured by Byzantine Emperor Jan Komnenos, who went on a Cilician military expedition in 1137. Villages and towns around Antakya were destroyed in a second campaign in 1142. During the reign of Manuel Komnenos, who succeeded him, the Prince of Antioch could stay in Antakya by going to Istanbul and accepting his nationality.

Manuel Komnenos, who aimed to revive the Roman Empire, gained absolute control over the Armenian Principality of Çukurova during his astern campaign in 1158. After that, he went to Antakya. King Baldwin III of Jerusalem also came to Antakya and offered his loyalty to the Byzantine Empire. Kommenos returned to Istanbul after a while.

1157 ve 1169 yıllarında meydana gelen depremler Antakya’da ve Bakras kalesinde büyük yıkıma yol açtı.

Prince of Antakya III was in a difficult situation after the Ayyubid Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi captured Aleppo in 1187. Bohemond sent an envoy to the Sultan and asked for peace, and the Sultan accepted this request. After that, Selahaddin Eyyubi, who captured many castles in the region, seized the castles of Bakras and Darbsâk, which were in the hands of the Crusaders, in September 1188 and cut off Antakya's connection with Anatolia. The people of Antioch fell into great trouble. The city could only receive aid through El Mina and Seleucia Pieria ports. Meanwhile, at the request of the Principality of Antakya, a short-term peace treaty was signed. Although Saladin was in preparation for a campaign to capture all the castles in the region, the military expedition did not happen upon the start of the III. Crusade. Ayyubid armies withdrew from the area entirely in 1191.

The armies of the Mamluk State, which dominated Egypt in the 13th century, reached the Amik plain and besieged Antakya twice in 1261 and 1262. The Mamluk army under the command of Baybars came to the region again in 1268 and besieged Antakya after capturing the Koz castle. It was captured in Antakya after a fierce battle on 18 May 1268. The city was plundered and set on fire, the walls were destroyed, and the inner castle was destroyed. Baybars also destroyed the port of Seleukeia Pieria (Çevlik), which carried foodstuffs to the city from the sea and captured the Bakras and Darb-ı sâk castles. After this, he had a mosque built in Antakya and Bakras. Development plan activities were started in Antakya.

With the arrival of the Mamluks, the Crusader Principality of Antakya has been ended which had been ruled for 171 years.

More than 40,000 tent Turkmen who came to the region during the reign of Baybars were settled in the coastal areas taken from the Crusaders, from Gaza to the Antakya and Sis (Kozan) border.

Traveler Ibn Battuta, who visited the region in the 14th century, writes that Antakya was a large city with a crowded population, beautiful buildings, abundant water and greenery, and that Turkmens stayed with their herds in the Amik plain. At that time, Avşar, Beğdili and other Turkmen tribes from the Bozoks lived in the Amik plain.

In 1394, Timur organized an military expedition to Mamluk lands but did not enter Antakya.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, Avshars and Bayats were the majority in the Aleppo, Antep and Antakya regions. Among the Northern Syrian Avshars, Gündüzoğulları lived in the Amik plain, Dogoğulları lived in Antep, and Özeroğulları lived in the area surrounding the Gulf of Iskenderun. Özeroğlu Davut Bey, who agreed with Dulkadiroğlu Süli Bey, revolted against the Mamluks and captured Antakya. However, when he was defeated by the Governor of Aleppo in 1411, he left the city to Gündüzoğulları and withdrew. Gündüzoğulları's domination of Antakya was also short-lived. According to the observations of the traveller Bertrandon de la Broquiere, who passed through Antakya in 1432, there were approximately three hundred houses within the walls of Antakya, which was the capital of that region at that time, and the Turkmens in the area were raising animals.

In the second half of the 15th century, when the Ottoman lands expanded southwards and reached the Mamluk borders, wars broke out between the two states. In 1487, the Mamluk army defeated the Ottoman army in Çukurova and captured its commander, Hersekzade Ahmet Pasha. In the campaign of 1488, the Ottoman army could not achieve success against the Mamluk army. Finally, a peace agreement was made in 1490.

The discovery of the Cape of Good Hope in these years changed the trade route. There was a decrease in the number of ships operating between Europe and Iskenderun. Iskenderun and its surroundings were significantly affected by this.

The Ottoman army won the war in Mercidabik between the Ottoman army and the Mamluk army in 1516. With Yavuz Sultan Selim entering Aleppo at the head of the Ottoman military, Antakya, Iskenderun, and their surroundings came under Ottoman rule in August 1516. Bıyıklı Mehmet Pasha was appointed as the first governor of the city. The most important event for the region in the following years was the passage of Suleiman the Magnificent from here. Suleiman the Magnificent went to Adana via Antakya-Iskenderun on his return from the Tabriz military expedition in early December 1535. In the following years, he revisited Antakya during one of his trips to Aleppo, where he spent the winter of 1548-1549.

In 1552, by the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, the construction of mosques, inns, baths, soup kitchens and pilgrimages began in Belen. Two hundred fifty soldiers were placed in Belen. A few years later, 65 more households were settled, and this place became a village. After this, to ensure road safety, the old castle and moat in Payas were dismantled and completely rebuilt (1567-1571). Again, opposite the castle in Payas, the mosque, inn, bath, Ottoman bazaar "arasta", and soup kitchen, which were started to be built by Sokullu Mehmet Pasha in 1568, were completed in 1574. A pier and a shipyard were also made, and a small castle (Cin Kulesi) was built on the upper side of the harbour in 1577 to protect the port. Five hundred forty-one families were settled here as Derbent workers. During the same period, Sokullu built structures such as inns, baths, covered bazaars and mills in Antakya, most of which have survived.

The only known important event in the region in the following period is the military expedition against Canbolatoğlu, who was in rebellion against the state, in 1607. Murat Pasha defeated Canbolatoğlu in the Oruç (Ruc) Plain in this military expedition.

In 1615, there was a severe earthquake in Antakya and its surroundings.

In the 17th century, the Suveydiye, Payas, and Iskenderun piers were active in the region. Since the mouth of the Asi River was filled with sand, Antakya could not make enough use of the Suveydiye pier. The basin of Iskenderun was very bad, surrounded by swamps. But it was a busy pier. The castle construction started by Nasuh Pasha still needs to be completed. Therefore, security could not be adequately provided. Payas Port, on the other hand, was critical in terms of both trade and military transport. The Hajj caravan "Surre Alaylı" used to pass this way on their way to pilgrimage.

Evliya Çelebi, who passed through the Hatay region in 1648, described his observations about Payas, İskenderun, Belen, Bakras and Antakya in her travelogue.

At the end of the 17th century, many villages in the region were devastated due to inadequate security. The towns became empty as most villagers left their homes, and production decreased. While migrations were prevented, many nomadic Turkmen tribes and tribes were settled around Antakya, Latakia, Hama, Homs and Tripoli in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Thus, a production balance was established and ruined settlements were reconstructed and revitalized.

During this period, the inn built by Suleiman the Magnificent in Karamurt (around Bakras) was also worn and inoperable. As a continuation of the settlement works, Vizier Hasan Pasha ordered the construction of a large inn, mosque and soup kitchen in the same place in 1703-1704, and the construction was completed in 1706. A fortified town was also built here, and a derbent organization was established for road safety. Thus, security was ensured in the region.

In 1769, with the efforts of Abdurrahman Pasha, people from around Belen were brought and settled.

After the raids and banditry incidents in Ordu (today's Yayladağı) and surrounding villages in 1790 (or 1791), this was followed in 1792 by Aleppo Governor Mustafa Pasha, who wanted to collect tribute from the people of Antakya under the pretext of military service. Still, he besieged the city with about 2,000 men since the people did not resist and pay. When the people revolted, the governor's men lifted the siege and raided Kuseyr villages, Ordu and surrounding villages. Later, they crossed the Orontes River and attacked the Süveydiye township, burning and plundering the houses, gazebos and silk roofs. They then continued the siege of Antakya and attacked the city. The people resisted, suffered 13 casualties in the clashes, but did not let the attackers into the city. Later, the Kadı Naibi and the town elders prepared a petition and sent it to Istanbul, explaining the incident and complaining about the governor and his men.

The Reyhaniye tribe, a nomadic tribe large enough to accommodate 3,000 horseback riders and 3,000 pedestrians who spent the winters in the Amik plain and the summers in the Anatolian plateaus, accepted partial settlement in the early 19th century. In the same period, the Küçükalioğulları family, who took control of Payas and its surroundings, rebelled against the state. They even went so far as to collect tribute from pilgrim convoys. This situation continued until the mid-19th century.

The earthquake in 1822 caused great destruction in Iskenderun and its surroundings. The last ruins of Seleukeia Pieria were destroyed, and many houses in Antakya were damaged.

During the Ottoman period, there was a merchant organisation organised as guilds in Antakya, working according to the principles of Ahiism, and a busy bazaar consisting of streets organized around inns, each allocated to members of a profession. Water closets on the Asi River provided the water needed for the irrigation of mills and gardens, as well as for the city's baths.

In 1832, Ibrahim Pasha, the son of the Egyptian Governor Mehmet Ali Pasha of Kavala, defeated the Ottoman army in the Syrian region and captured Syria. Ottoman commander Agha Hüseyin Pasha was not accepted to Aleppo, where he went to rest the army. He retreated north to the Beylan (Belen) Strait and took a defensive formation there. Ibrahim Pasha came to Antakya and slept with his army, took advantage of the gaps left by the Ottoman army in defence and won the war on 28 July 1832, within two hours. The Ottoman military suffered heavy losses. Ibrahim Pasha's army passed from here to Iskenderun and continued on its way, advancing into the interior of Anatolia. The order established by İbrahim Pasha continued in Antakya and its surroundings until 1839.

With the proclamation of the Tanzimat in 1839, a new arrangement was made in the administrative organization of Antakya and its surroundings, as in the Ottoman country.

In the 19th century, public order was broken in the Gavurdagi region, and there was no peace, and rebellion movements broke out in the broad area from the borders of Sivas province to the edge of Iskenderun pier, Beylan and Antakya districts. The state created a division (division) to rehabilitate this region and restore order. The commander of this army, called "Fırka-i Islahiye", was Müşir Derviş Pasha, and its official in civil matters was Ahmet Cevdet Pasha. The army came to Iskenderun in mid-1865. The operation began by crossing the Amanos Mountains via Belen; the rebel tribes were subdued, and peace was established in the region. A barracks was built where the army was camped. A township was formed by combining Hacilar, Tiyek and Akbez sub-districts, and a town of several hundred houses was constructed next to the barracks to be the township centre. The city was named "HASSA" because Hassa battalions first arrived here. Some of the people of the three townships were transferred here. After this, the administrative structure of Aleppo province was reorganized. In the new arrangement, Antakya, Reyhaniye, Payas, Beylan, Iskenderun (Iskenderun belongs to Belen, Belen belongs to Payas), Ordu (subordinate to Cisrişşuğur), Hassa (subordinate to Islahiye), Aleppo province took place.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 adversely affected the Iskenderun pier and, therefore, the local economy. The commercial density of Iskenderun and, accordingly, its importance decreased. The severe earthquake in Antakya on 16 April 1872 caused significant damage to Antakya and its villages. One thousand five hundred died in the quake; many survived with injuries.

To compensate for the harmful effects of the opening of the Suez Canal on the economy of Iskenderun and its surroundings, constructing a highway between Iskenderun and Aleppo was started. This paved road was completed in 1886. The İskenderun-Toprakkale railway line, the construction of which began in 1904, was completed and put into operation on 1 November 1913.

The Armenian events in Adana in April 1909 also spread to Dörtyol, Kırıkhan, and Antakya, and there were events in these regions as well. In 1915, a second Armenian incident occurred in Musa Dagh, within the borders of Süveydiye township (today's Samandağ). Most of the Armenians living in the villages here did not comply with the compulsory relocation (deportation) order notified by the state, went up the mountain, rebelled against the state, and started an armed struggle with the military units surrounding the hill. The rebellion, which lasted for 40 days, ended when the Armenians fled to Egypt with the French ships.

During the First World War, the Arabs had been preparing to rebel against the Ottoman Empire. To this end, they were negotiating with the British and their allies. In the negotiations held between Sykes-Picot-Sazanof (British-French-Russian representatives) in Petersburg in March 1916, the subject was the sharing of Ottoman lands. Accordingly, Southeastern Anatolia and Syria would be taken by France, and the region to the south of it, especially Iraq (oil region), would be taken by England.

Towards the end of the war, realizing that this agreement would be implemented before the armistice of Mudros, Faisal (son of Mecca Emir Sharif Hussein) entered Damascus. On 7 October 1918, he declared that he had established an Arab government that included all of Syria. Soon after, he tried to have governments under him in other cities through his men. One of these targets was Antakya.

Towards the end of the war, before the armistice of Mudros, Faisal (son of Mecca Emir Sharif Hussein) realized that the agreement mentioned above would be implemented, thus entered Damascus, and declared on 7 October 1918 that he had established an Arab government that included all of Syria. Soon after, he tried to have governments under him in other cities through his men. One of these targets was Antakya.

In the last days of World War I, the Turkish army on the Syrian front left Aleppo on the night of 25/26 October 1918 and retreated to the north. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who had commanded the military during this withdrawal, personally conducted the street battles in Aleppo. On 28 October, Turkish troops protected the Antakya, Belen, Dircemal, and Telrifat line, and Mustafa Kemal Pasha ordered the protection of a line that conformed to today's borders, in a sense, he determined the boundaries of the new Turkish state. Meanwhile, in Antakya, Faisal's supporters declared an Arab government under the control of Faisal because of a fait accompli on 27 October 1918. They removed the Ottoman flag from the government house and hung an Arab flag instead. Also, they brought District Governor İbrahim Ethem Bey to the position of head of government.

On 30 October 1918, the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied Powers. The next day, the provisions of the armistice were notified to the armies and provinces. After this, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who was appointed as the commander of the Yıldırım Army Group, ordered his troops on 3 November 1918 to "Take into consideration in every transaction that the people of İskenderun, Antakya, Cebelsam'an, Katma and Kilis surroundings are three-quarters mostly Arabic-speaking Turks" and also, he ordered that the removal of troops to the army be prevented until the terms of the armistice were clarified. Following the news about the pro-Arabs coming from Antakya, a regiment was sent to Antakya from the 41st Division (division) headquarters in Belen. The city was surrounded, the soldiers under the command of the Arabists were disarmed, the Turkish notables they had imprisoned were released, and the leaders of the Arab government initiative were imprisoned.

On 4 November 1918, with the approval of the Istanbul Government, 5 French torpedoes cleared the mines in the Gulf of Iskenderun. Mustafa Kemal Pasha responded negatively to the telegram sent from the Grand Vizierate asking the British Army Commander in Syria to be informed that they could benefit from the port of Iskenderun. The next day, he stated that he "gave the order to fire on the British who were going to land in Iskenderun", and on 6 November, the British ships that attempted to land in Iskenderun responded with artillery fire from the beach.

On the same day, the regiment, which ensured peace and security in Antakya, left the region, leaving a company of soldiers in the city upon receiving the order. Turkish notables and about 100 families of civil servants left the town along with the soldiers. The last soldiers of the 41st division left Belen on 9 November 1918 and retreated to the north of the Payas line, as determined by the protocol. Warships belonging to the Allied Powers were waiting in the Gulf. On the same day, a British detachment landed in Iskenderun and went to Dörtyol.

Meanwhile, since the Yıldırım Army Group was abolished, Mustafa Kemal Pasha went to Istanbul on 10 November 1918.

Occupation, People's Combat, and the First Bullet

On 12 November 1918, the French landed troops in Iskenderun. According to the agreement, the Ottoman civil administration was to continue in the region, so the administrators were required to stay in their places and resume their duties. But the District Governor and the Port Master, who wanted to stay here in compliance with the orders of the state, were taken out of the city after being insulted, tortured, imprisoned, and sent to Payas on a boat.

On 14 November 1918, the French landed new troops, first occupying Iskenderun and then Belen on 15 November 1918.

On 27 November 1918, the French High Commission, headquartered in Beirut, issued a decree and created an administrative unit called "Iskenderun Sanjak", including Antakya, Iskenderun, and Harim. The Sanjak was decided to be governed by a military governor.

On 7 December 1918, a French unit from Iskenderun occupied Antakya and ended the Faisalian rule, which was carried out under the name of the "Arab Government".

On 11 December 1918, a French battalion of 400 Armenians occupied Dörtyol. Returning Armenians displaced to other regions during World War I gathered around Dörtyol on the exact dates. The Armenian population in this area exceeded 10,000, and Armenian gangs emerged. Shortly after the occupation, the Armenians in the French battalion and the Armenian squads (gangs) began to harass the Turks in the region violently and aggressively. Incidents of robbery, assault, torture, and murder for revenge have increased daily. The Turks' applications to administrative authorities were inconclusive. Meanwhile, the gangs formed by the Turks who escaped oppression and took shelter in the mountains began intervening in the events. Finally, the first incident occurred on 19 December 1918. The French detachment of Armenian soldiers who attacked the village of Karakese that day encountered armed resistance. In the clash at the barricade at the entrance of the town, the French withdrew, leaving 15 dead. This conflict is the starting point of the Turkish War of Independence and the first bullet of our War of Independence.

As in Dörtyol, the Armenians in the French troops had harassed the people with their excesses and attacks in Antakya, Iskenderun, and Belen. The Ottoman Government protested to the British High Commission as the complaints increased. Later, after the Armenians in the French troops in Iskenderun caused trouble, they were sent to Port Said by ship on 1 March 1919.

In those days, most Turks were tired of the persecution around Dörtyol but could not find shelter, obtained a gun, went to the mountains and joined the existing gangs. The most famous and influential of those was the Kara Hasan gang. Since Kara Hasan's group showed great success against Armenian gangs and French troops, the people gave him the title of "Pasha".

Likewise, the gangs established in Antakya, Reyhanlı, and Kuseyr (Altınözü) regions also fought against the French troops, organized raids, clashed, and did not give the occupation forces any rest.

On 28 January 1920, the last Ottoman Parliament accepted the National Pact. In April 1920, Tayfur Mürsel (Sökmen), one of the mujahideen from Reyhanlı, sent a telegram to Ankara asking "whether Antakya-Iskenderun and its surroundings were included in the National Pact". In his reply, Mustafa Kemal Pasha stated that the region was in the National Pact and that they should contact the Corps in Maraş. After this, contact was established with the second Corp, and they joined the Kuvayı Milliye to support the combat initiated by M. Kemal Pasha in Anatolia.

The Battle of Boklukaya, which took place between Kırıkhan and Hassa in September 1920, between regular and reinforced French troops and Turkish gangs with military reinforcements, resulted in the victory of the Turkish groups. In the spring of 1921, while Turkish combat teams dominated the situation in Kuseyr and around Yayladağı, reinforcement French troops were sent here from Antakya and Latakia. Turkish groups formed a front against them and started to fight. However, due to the ongoing negotiations between the Turkish government and the French representative Franklin Bouillon in Ankara, an order was given to stop the fighting and withdraw the gangs. In July 1921, the teams abandoned the combat and retreated to Anatolia.

On 8 August 1921, the French High Commission published a new decree determining the management style of the Iskenderun Sanjak. According to this decree, the Sanjak of Iskenderun had full autonomy and a particular administrative system within the French occupation zone. A "Mutasarrıf" would rule the Sanjak, and the mutasarrıf would have the powers of the Aleppo Head of Government. Turkish and Arabic would be accepted as official languages in the Sanjak, and the Sanjak would have its own budget. With a new decision on 12 September 1921, Harim (except Reyhaniye) was separated from Sanjak and transferred to Aleppo. The Bayır-Bucak region, where many Turkmen lived, was connected to Latakia.

Ankara Agreement and Afterwards (Iskenderun Sanjak Period)

At the end of the negotiations that started in Ankara with French Representative Franklin Bouillon in June 1921 and aimed to stop the war between the two states, the Ankara Agreement was signed between Türkiye and France on 20 October 1921. The state of war ended, and a border was drawn between Türkiye and Syria, which was the French occupation zone, starting from Payas and extending in a straight line to Kilis and from there to the Euphrates. According to the border determined in the agreement, the Sanjak of Iskenderun was outside our borders. However, according to Article 7 of the Agreement, a unique form of administration would be established for the Iskenderun region, the Turkish residents of the area would benefit from all kinds of conveniences and opportunities to develop their culture, and the Turkish language would have the status of an official language there.

According to the border drawn between Türkiye and Syria, Dörtyol (including Payas) and Hassa remained within the frontiers of Türkiye. The French evacuated Erzin and Dörtyol until the last days of 1921 and retreated to the south, and then Hassa, whose situation was in dispute, was also included within our borders. At the end of 1922, the Belen district organization was transferred to Kırıkhan, where most of the population was Armenians coming from abroad; Kırıkhan became the district and Belen became the township of Kırıkhan.

In this new period, the Turks of Antakya, Iskenderun, and their surrounding areas could not get used to living apart from the Motherland. At every opportunity, they demanded Türkiye to save their country from occupation. When Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha came to Adana on 15 March 1923, during a troubled period when the Lausanne negotiations were interrupted, the people of Antakya welcomed him. In front of the crowd that included Gazi in Adana, there were two signs, four ladies and a girl in front of them. The girl from Antakya (Ayşe Fitnat Hanım) gave a touching speech and begged, "O Great Gazi, save us." Gazi Pasha, who was very emotional and whose eyes became moist, answered the girl that promised salvation and went down in history: "The forty-century-old Turkish homeland cannot remain in foreign hands!" From that day on, this promise was accepted as a document of salvation by all Sanjak Turks and became a source of hope.

After this, in the Treaty of Lausanne signed on 24 July 1923, the Türkiye-Syria border determined by the Ankara Agreement between Türkiye and France was accepted.

Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha visited Dörtyol in January 1925 and May 1926. Here, he was given a house and a farm as a gift.

During this period, the Sanjak of Iskenderun consisted of three districts (Iskenderun, Antakya, Kırıkhan).

In 1926, due to the initiatives of the Turks in the Sanjak of Iskenderun, a government directly affiliated to the High Commission, with equal rights with Syria and headquartered in Iskenderun, was established. Delegate (High Commissioner representative) Pierre Durieux was appointed Head of Government. However, due to Syria's demands and pressure, the declaration of independence was withdrawn, and autonomous administration continued.

Decree No. 1312, published by the French High Commission on 14 May 1930, was an official document and the "Regulations" like the Constitution of the Sanjak. The organization and management of Sancak were arranged accordingly.

On 15 February 1931, Mustafa Kemal Pasha came to Dörtyol again and visited the orange gardens.

In 1931, drinking water was brought to Antakya from Harbiye. In the same year, electricity was supplied to the city for the first time.

In these years, the Turks living in Sancak have their eyes and ears on Türkiye. Developments are being followed, and even the slightest news is interpreted as meaning that Sancak will be given to Türkiye. On the contrary, Syria wanted the Turkish language and everything in the name of Türkiye and Turkishness to be banned and eliminated in Sandzak. It was provoking the French administrators in this direction.

An example of this occurred in 1933:

In those years, some textbooks taught in Antakya schools came from Türkiye. On 15 October 1933, the children's Reading Book was collected at Köprü School, and the administrators tore down the pictures of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha on the head. This incident caused great sadness and reaction among the public. Hundreds of Ataturk pictures were prepared that night. The next day, all the students left with Ataturk pictures on their collars. No one spoke out against this.

Two weeks later, the 10th anniversary of the Republic was celebrated as a holiday by the Sanjak Turks. Telegraphs were sent to Ankara, and many people went to the border, went to Payas without a passport, watched the celebration ceremonies, and returned. No difficulties were caused to them at the border.

Another incident occurred during the arrival of Gaziantep Governor Akif İyidoğan. Governor İyidoğan came to Sancak for official talks in April 1934 and was welcomed like a saviour in Antakya. A wonderful welcome was given. The people lifted the governor's official car into the air with joy. French administrators were disturbed by the demonstrations during this reception. The governor cut his visit short and returned the next day. Later, some Turkish administrators and civil servants were dismissed, using the stampede and demonstrations to welcome the governor as an excuse.

Projects were being prepared to dry the Amik Lake swamps in these years.

Since Syria was under France's mandate, the country's fate depended on the decisions made by France. The findings of the French High Commissioner in Lebanon were also above the Syrian Parliament. Negotiations were held for a long time for Syria to eliminate this situation and gain its independence. Finally, the Syria-France agreement was signed on 9 September 1936. Still, with this agreement, while granting freedom, the case of the Iskenderun Sanjak, which was subject to a special status, was ignored, meaning that it was left unconditionally to Syria, albeit with the same borders, and the Ankara Agreement was made invalid.

Türkiye was following the developments closely. Negotiations were held with the French on this issue, but no positive result was achieved. Atatürk, who followed the case meticulously, clearly stated the state's attitude on the Sanjak issue in his opening speech to the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 1 November 1936. The part of the speech about Hatay was as follows:

"Meanwhile, the major issue that occupies our nation day and night is the fate of the Iskenderun and Antakya region, whose real owners are Turks. We have to focus on this seriously and strictly." Thus, the Sancak issue came to the agenda officially for the first time. The next day, Atatürk named Sancak "Hatay". He determined the officials who would continue the struggle and ordered the branches of the Hatay Erkinlik Cemiyeti to be opened near the Hatay border and to continue the combat from there.

After this, as the first action, Sanjak Turks boycotted the Syrian general elections. Following this, according to the agreement reached because of the notes exchanged between Türkiye and France, the issue was taken to the League of Nations and placed on the agenda of the League.

Meanwhile, there was a tense atmosphere in Antakya. In an incident before the Habib Neccar Mosque, two young people were martyred by a fire opened by a French tank, and martial law was declared in the city to ensure public order.

At its meeting on 14-16 December 1936, the League of Nations sent three observers to Sanjak (Hatay) to see the situation on-site.

In December 1936, Atatürk presented the Hatay Flag, the shape of which he determined, to the people of Hatay. The flag was almost the same as the Turkish flag. The difference was that there was a small red star inside the star.

Activities related to Hatay were concentrated on the Dörtyol border.

Observers like M.C. came to Hatay on 1 January 1937 to begin their investigations.

On 5 January 1937, Atatürk set out south to follow the case personally. However, due to the meeting held in Eskişehir on 6 January, he was assured that the issue would be resolved and persuaded to return to Ankara. Atatürk returned to Ankara via Ulukışla.

On 12 January 1937, an enormous rally and march was held in Antakya, attended by 60,000 (80,000 according to foreign radio stations) Turks, and observers from the League of Nations watched the rally from start to finish. In this dignified and disciplined march, the people chanted, "We want independence!" he exclaimed. Finally, the Council of the League of Nations accepted the granting of independence to the Sanjak of Iskenderun at its meeting on 27 January 1937. Sanjak would be fully independent in internal affairs, dependent on Syria in foreign affairs, finance and customs matters. This decision was celebrated with enthusiastic demonstrations among Hatay Turks. Arabs, on the other hand, protested the situation and protested.

The "Sancak Statute and Constitution" prepared by the Selected Experts Committee was accepted on 29 May and came into force on 29 November 1937. After that, under the auspices of the League of Nations, elections would be held after the population of the Sanjak was determined and registered according to the communities. For this, voter writing had to be done. However, since the beginning of the occupation, many Turks had to leave Sanjak and go to Turkey. In Turkey, the government has declared that people from Hatay and those born in Hatay can go to Hatay from 29 November. The people of Hatay came to Hatay by train.

According to the League of Nations resolution, elections were to be held on 28 March and 12 April (1938). As the election time approached, it was seen that the French occupation administration, like the pro-Syrian supporters, took an attitude against the Turks and began to act biased. This situation was prevented by Turkey's application to the League of Nations. Before the elections, voters would be registered according to their communities, after which the second voters would be elected to elect the Members of Parliament. In the third stage, the elections for the Members of Parliament would be held.

Meanwhile, news that Atatürk was sick was heard, and foreign agencies spread this news to the world. The purpose of distributing this news was to prevent the Hatay issue from being resolved and to leave the struggle unfinished. Sensing this, Atatürk set out for the south after the ceremonies on 19 May 1938, despite his illness. He reached Mersin the next day, and a magnificent parade was organized here. Photos taken at the ceremony were published in Antakya and Iskenderun newspapers. From now on, Atatürk said that he would stay in Mersin until the Hatay issue was resolved. On 24 May, he went to Adana after the messages of the French and British ambassadors were delivered to him stating that "all conditions of Turkey were accepted". After watching the parade held here, he moved from Adana to Ankara by train.

Efforts to find a solution to the administration's bias in Hatay, Dr It resulted in the appointment of Abdurrahman Melek as the "Governor General of Sanjak" and the dismissal of Delegate Roger Garreau. Colonel Collet, also the commander of the military units, was appointed as the Delegate.

Abdurrahman Melek took office on 5 June. His first job was to appoint the former Mayor of Antakya, Süreyya Halef, as the District Governor of Antakya and Vedi Münir Karabay as the Mayor of Antakya.

For the elections to be held in a safe environment, an agreement was reached between Turkey and France, and a military agreement was signed. To determine the principles of implementation of this agreement, a military delegation headed by General Asım Gündüz came to Antakya on 12 June 1938. Negotiations started here on 13 June 1938, with the delegation led by French Syrian Armies Commander General Huntzinger, and concluded on 3 July 1938, and an agreement was signed. Asım Gündüz left Hatay on the same day. According to the agreement, a force of 6,000 people will provide security in Hatay; 2,500 will be met from Turkey, 2,500 from France and 1,000 from Hatay.

Following the agreement, a Turkish unit of 2,500 people (48th Reinforced Mountain Regiment) entered Hatay in two columns from Hassa (Aktepe) and Payas on 5 July 1938. The commander of the forces was Staff Colonel Şükrü Kanatlı. The troops entered Kırıkhan on 6 July, Antakya on 7 July, and one column went to Belen. On 8 July, a detachment entered Reyhanlı. With the entry of the military, the Gulf of Iskenderun, which is of vital importance to Turkey, came under our control, and the maritime geography of the National Pact (Misak-ı Milli) was completed.

Ten days later, Cevat Açıkalın, appointed Turkey's Extraordinary Representative of Hatay, came to Antakya. After the studies and discussions, a new election commission was established. The commission consisted of Abdurrahman Melek and Kolonel Collet, chaired by Abdulgani Türkmen. The election campaign started on 22 July 1938. According to the congregations, the registration process ended on 1 August. It was determined that Turks constituted the majority of the population, with a rate of 63.5%. The second electoral registration ended on 8 August 1938. On 19 August, the names and numbers of the candidates will be determined. Of the 40 deputies to form the Assembly, 31 Turks (9 from the Alevi community), 2 Arabs, 5 Armenians, and 2 Greek Orthodox communities. Since it was seen that the number of candidates from each community was equal to the number of deputies to be elected at the end of the period, the candidates' deputies were approved without holding an election. The Parliament was to be opened on 2 September 1938.

On 25 August 1938, Tayfur Sökmen, the Presidential candidate chosen by Atatürk, came to Antakya from Dörtyol, where he was leading the struggle.

HATAY GOVERNMENT

2 September 1938 is the foundation day of the Hatay Government.

Hatay State National Assembly convened in Gündüz Cinema that day. Abdulgani Türkmen was elected as the President of the Parliament, and Tayfur Sökmen was selected as the Head of State. The name of the state was accepted as "Hatay". On 5 September 1938, Head of State Tayfur Sökmen Dr. He appointed Abdurrahman Melek as prime minister.

 Dr. Abdurrahman Melek established the cabinet as follows:

 Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defense Dr. Abdurrahman Melek

Courthouse Deputy                                                                           Cemil Yurtman

Finance Attorney                                                                              Cemal Bakı

Public Works and Agriculture Representative                                 Kemal Alpar

Health and Education Attorney                                                        A. Faik Türkmen

The government received a vote of confidence in the Parliament's session on 6 September 1938. The Sanjak Constitution was accepted as the "Hatay Constitution" on the same day. The state's name was changed to "HATAY STATE" in the Constitution. The state was based on the Turkish majority, its form of administration was the Republic, and its centre was Antakya. Again, on the same day, the Hatay Flag Law was accepted (the flag was the flag drawn by Atatürk), and the Hatay Flag was hoisted to the Parliament building with a ceremony accompanied by a band, and 11 pieces of cannon were fired.

On 7 September 1938, the Parliament gave broad powers to the government. The government would be able to issue and implement Decree Laws.

On the same day, the Turkish National Anthem was accepted as the national anthem of Hatay State, and the Parliament went into recess.

During the Hatay State period, the French Delegate Colonel Collet continued his duty in Antakya as the representative of France, whom the League of Nations appointed as the mandate in 1922, following the League of Nations Mandates Law and the decision of the M.C. Council, and there was a symbolic French military unit in the Antakya Barracks. But neither the Delegate had any influence nor the military union had any function. Although Hatay was independent, it was located within the borders of Syria, under French mandate.

On 20 October, Iskenderun customs, governed by Syria, was seized, and procedures were initiated to transfer it to the Hatay State. In response, the French and Syrians closed Hatay's border with Syria at midnight on the same day. Hatay was trapped in the middle since the Turkish border was also closed. The danger of paralyzing economic life arose. On the same night, by the order of Tayfur Sökmen, police stations were established in response to the Syrian outposts on the border. The next day, Hatay State also closed its border with Syria. The transfer of customs was completed on 21 October. On the same day, Tayfur Sökmen rejected Kolonel Collet's offer to open the border. Two days later, Türkiye opened its Hatay border. Commercial relations began.

On 1 November, goods coming from Turkey were exempt from customs duties.

The 1st term of the Hatay Assembly started in the 2nd session on 1 November 1938 at the Government House, which was used as the Assembly building. While the work continued, Hatay was shaken by the news of Atatürk's death on 10 November. Flags are at half-mast, and markets are closed. Schools were suspended. Salutes were given on the minarets, and churches rang their bells. A month of national mourning was declared. A delegation of 10 deputies went to Turkey for Atatürk's funeral.

On 1 December, Hatay products were allowed to enter Turkey duty-free. After this, it was accepted to enter Hatay from Turkey without a passport, only with an identity card.

The administrative division of the Hatay State was as follows:

State Center:

Antakya

Boroughs                                            Nahiyeler

Antakya                                             Karamurt, A.Kuseyr, Orta Kuseyr, Y.Kuseyr, Bityas, Süveydiye, Harbiye

İskenderun                                         Belen, Arsuz

Ordu                                                   Bezge, Kesep

Kırıkhan                                             Aktepe

Reyhaniye

On 16 February 1939, the Hatay National Assembly accepted the proposal to "adopt the laws of the Motherland as the Hatay Law". February salaries were paid in Turkish currency for the first time. On 13 March, the Türkiye's currency was accepted as the official currency of Hatay.

 On 16 June 1939, it was accepted in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey that "all financial, economic and administrative provisions between Turkey and Hatay should be abolished". Thus, the border between Square Ekbez and Payas became invalid.

 On 23 June 1939, the Hatay agreement regarding the return of the Hatay region to Turkey (AGREEMENT ON THE DEFINITE SOLUTION OF THE LAND ISSUE BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA) was signed between France and Turkey. According to this agreement, which did not contain any secret clauses and did not contain any provisions or commitments for the future, France was legally and unconditionally transferring to Turkey the powers granted to it over the region it had seized by occupation and to which it had been appointed mandate by the decision of the League of Nations. There was no obstacle for Hatay to join Turkey.

 When the news that the agreement was signed reached Hatay, Hatay flags were taken down from official offices and the Turkish flag was hoisted instead. The city was decorated with Turkish Flags.

On 28 June 1939, the ministries of the Hatay Government were abolished. The ministers' mandate is over. The Consulate General of Türkiye also ceased its activities. All authorities were concentrated on Extraordinary Executive Director Cevat Açıkalın.

The End of the Hatay State and the Accession to Turkey

The Presidency of the Hatay National Assembly called the Assembly to an extraordinary meeting. In the Parliament convened at 16:00 on 29 June 1939, speeches were made on the motion with 39 signatures requesting "to determine with a decision that Hatay, an integral part of the Turkish community, has become a homeland". As a result, the motion and Abdulgani Türkmen's proposal regarding the "termination of the existence of the Hatay National Assembly" were accepted unanimously and with applause.

The Hatay State had come to an end, and the second stage of the legal process was completed with the decision of the Assembly to join Turkey with its own will and will.

Tayfur Sökmen and Abdurrahman Melek left Hatay on July 2, 1939. French soldiers in Antakya Barracks started to move from Hatay. The move would be completed by 23 July 1939. T.R. His government purchased French organizations, such as the Syrian and Lebanon Bank, the Regime Administration, the Electricity Company, and the Iskenderun Port Company with their assets. Those citizens of Hatay State were given time to choose one of their Turkish or Syrian nationalities. Those who acquired the citizenship of Syria or another state emigrated. On the other hand, the joint border commission of representatives of Syria and Türkiye determined the current border.

Hatay Province was established with Law No. 3711 dated 7 July 1939, and Dörtyol district from Seyhan and Hassa district of Islahiye from Gaziantep were taken (as a district) and connected to Hatay.

Şükrü Sökmensüer, who was appointed as the Governor of Hatay while he was the General Director of Police, came to Hatay on 18 July 1939. On 19 July, Extraordinary Executive Director, Deputy Ambassador Cevat Açıkalın left Hatay. Necessary preparations for the ceremony to be held in the barracks have been completed.

On the morning of 23 July 1939, the last remaining French troops in Hatay left the barracks at 07:30. In the ceremony attended by Turkish and French soldiers together, the French flag in the Barracks was lowered at 07:45, and the Turkish flag was hoisted to the accompaniment of the National Anthem. This result was enthusiastically applauded by the huge crowd watching the ceremony. Hatay's annexation process was completed. This happy event was celebrated with festivities.

Atatürk, a "Martyr of Hatay", could not see Hatay joining the Motherland, but Hatay was his last gift to his nation.

Source

https://hatay.ktb.gov.tr/TR-201495/tarihce.html