Assyrians, Kurds, and Ottomans: Intercommunal Relations on the Periphery of the Ottoman Empire By Hirmis Aboona

Assyrians, Kurds, and Ottomans: Intercommunal Relations on the Pe ...

Chapter 13:

The End of the Kurdish Wars

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On the recommendation of Noor Allah Beg, two American missionaries visited Bedr Khan in May of 1847. They were obliged to take a long route to reach al Jazirah rather than the short route across the country of the Assyrian tribes. Having been treated courteously during the month of their visit, they reported the bright side of the Kurdish leader and highly praised the prosperity, peace, and tranquillity prevailing in the territories under his rule. At the same time, however, they also mentioned his continued cruelty and oppression against the Christians of Tiyari and Hakkari, who had been the victims of his during 1843–1846.⁹

3. The Countdown to Bedr Khan Beg’s Downfall

February 1847

The first sign of the Ottoman government’s resolve to eliminate Bedr Khan appeared with the appointment of Asaad Pasha () as new pasha for the pashalic of Mosul. According to established practice, the newly appointed pasha took the desert route to reach Mosul. This route lay to the southwest of the Jazirah Ibn Omar, where Bedr Khan was expected to greet the new pasha at the head of a large military force. While Asaad Pasha was still in Mardin, Bedr Khan Beg asked him to change the traditional desert route and instead pass through the town of Jazirah, where he could pay his respects without bringing along a large military force. The pasha replied firmly that he did not intend to change the traditional route to meet the wishes of one of his underlings. If the beg were eager to meet him in the desert, he could do so with a retinue of his servants and staff. But if he did not trust himself in his pasha’s hand except in the presence of a large military force, then it would be better for him to stay where he was.¹⁰ This attitude marked the reversal of the good relations that had existed between the Turks and Bedr Khan Beg during the attacks on the Assyrians in 1843–1846. The new Ottoman attitude towards the Kurdish leader signalled the opening of a new chapter in which his end was approaching.¹¹