A Comparative Analysis of Türkiye and France’s Counterinsurgency Methods: Examples of Sheikh Said and The Great Druze Insurgencies

30.06.2023 | Arman SERT

In this study, it is aimed to analyze the methods applied by the states against the insurgencies comparatively. In this context, the Sheikh Said Insurgency (1925-1926) emerged after the proclamation of the republic in Türkiye, and the Great Druze Insurgency (1925-1927) in Syria, which became the French mandate after the First World War, are examined as case studies. The main research question is how France and Türkiye responded to the ethnic separatist insurgencies took place in the same period and in nearby geographies. In addition to these similarities, the difference between Türkiye in its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and France as a mandate state in Syria isn’t ignored. On the contrary, the similarities and differences between counterinsurgency methods are comparatively examined. The basic assumption in the study is, although both states show some methodological similarities, they basically have unique differences in counterinsurgency. Thus, the preliminary findings show that both states countered with insurgencies with a mostly conventional approach and regular army units, focusing primarily on re-establishing security from an operational perspective. However, it is among the results that there are differences in issues such as discriminating the insurgents and the civilians, acting within the legal framework and considering legitimacy.

Sert, A. (2023). A Comparative Analysis of Türkiye and France’s Counterinsurgency Methods: Examples of Sheikh Said and The Great Druze Insurgencies. Journal of Terrorism and Radicalization Studies, 2(2), pp. 238-274, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/trad.31