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Yavuz Ottoman Sultan Selim, Conquerer of the new Shiite Persia

Yavuz Sultan Selim, B. 1465-D.1520. Selim the Grim, Conquerer of the new Shiite Persia, under Ismael al Safawi, at the battle of Chaldiron. Defeated Qansuah al-Ghori, the Mamluk Sultan at Marg-Dabiq north of Aleppo, occupying Syria in 1516, and a year later occupied Egypt and executated the last Mamluk Sultan Tuman Bey in 1517. Became the first Ottoman Khalif, with the title of Hami al Haramin Al-Sharifain (Protector of the two Holy cities; Mecca and Medina), a title reserved today by the kings of Saudi Arabia.

Sultan Selim witnesses execution of last Arab Khalif

Sultan Selim (“Selim the Grim”) witnessing the execution of the last Mamluk Sultan and Arab Khalif, Toman Bey in Cairo 1517. From 17 th. century German manuscript.

Turkish troops enter Alexandretta, Northern Syria on 8/22/1938

Alexandrette 8/22/1938 World Photo ” Alexandretta, NOTHERN SYRIA- the scene as Turkish troops marched into the Sanjak (district) of Alexandretta recently to assure joint control with France of the strategic east Mediterranean area. The occupation of the Turks was in fulfilment of a Franco-Turkish friendship treaty signed for joined arms control of the area pending elections to determine whether the area will become Turkish or remain a part of French Mandate”

Turkish troops enter Alexandretta, Northern Syria in 1938

Alexandretta, Northern Syria: Turkish inhabitants of Alexandretta cheer as Turkish troops marched into the Sanjak (district) in 1938

Dismemberment of Turkey (Puck magazine 1918)

England, Russia, France and Austria decide how to slice the Turkish Empire; a 1918 cartoon in Puck magazine after Turkey lost WW1

Yezidi boys card by Dominican missionaries in Mosul

“Young boys from the mountain”: Yezidi boys postcard by the Dominican missionaries in Mosul, Mesopotamia.

First air attacks in history: Italy bombing Libya in 1911

Italian-Turkish War 1911, first war to employ aircraft in conflict ever, the two planes,”Etrich Traube” model (the Pigeon) used prior to WW1 to bomb Zanzur, south-west of Tripoli inaugurating the first air attack in a war in aviation history. Captain Monte was the first pilot to be attacked by rifle fire over Tobruk on Feb1,1912, he managed to land safely. Hundred years later NATO was to use another light aircraft, unmanned, the Drone, to win the battle in Libya. Click here to read More.

French troops attend mass in Bekaa Valley, 1860

French troops attending mass in Qub Elias in the Bekaa Valley on the road to Damascus, Oct.21, 1860. Le Monde Illustre

Aleppo dancer on a camel

Dancer on a camel entertaining crowds by the Aleppo citadel

Sheikh Khaz’al ibn Jabir palace and music band 1909

Sheikh Khaz’al ibn Jabir palace and music band on post card mailed 23 Jan. 1909 from Bader Abbas.The Sheikh belonged to the Beni Ka’ab Arab tribe in the Ahwaz region along the Persian Gulf, friend of the British prior to WW1, was placed under house arrest in Tehran in 1925, when the Pahlevi dynasty forces occupied the region. the Ahwaz name was Persinized to Khuzistan, and in 1930 Sheikh Khaza’al’s Capital Mohammerah was changed to Khurramshahr. Sheikh Khaza’al at some point was considered strong candidate for the throne of Iraq was passed over, by King Faisal I. He died in Tehran while under house arrest, betrayed by his old friends, the British.