Today in History – 25/26 April

İsmet Bey is promoted to major

İsmet Bey was promoted to major on April 26, 1912 and was made chief of staff of the Yemen Army. Having admired İnönü’s achievements from the onset, Ahmet İzzet Pasha had given him excellent credentials and asked him to be decorated with the Mecidi Medal of the fourth rank.

When İzzet Pasha was recalled to İstanbul, the Office of the General Staff appointed İsmet Bey with the task of resolving the conflict with Imam Yahya, the leader of the rebellion in Yemen. Meeting with Imam Yahya along with Arabic-speaking officers, İsmet Bey was able to resolve the conflict with simple concessions after two days of negotiations. His intervention not only ended the rebellion, but the Ottoman State obtained a loyal ally on the Arabian Peninsula.