| Kuvâ-i İnzibâtiyye | |
|---|---|
 Soldiers of the Caliphate Army | |
| Active | April 18, 1920 – June 25, 1920 |
| Country | Ottoman Empire |
| Allegiance | CaliphMehmed VI |
| Type | Field Army |
| Size | 7,000 (at peak)[1] |
| Nickname | Caliphate Army |
| Engagements | Turkish War of Independence |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Süleyman Şefik Pasha Anzavur Ahmed Bey |
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TheKuvâ-yi İnzibâtiye (Ottoman Turkish:قوای انضباطیه,lit. 'Forces of Order';Turkish:Hilafet Ordusu,lit. 'Caliphate Army') was an army established on 18 April 1920 by theimperial government of theOttoman Empire in order to fight against theTurkish National Movement during theTurkish War of Independence in the aftermath ofWorld War I. It was commanded bySüleyman Şefik Pasha.
Realizing he could no longer count on the title"Sultan" alone to influence the Turkish people, he considered it necessary to use the spiritual title of "Caliph" for the leader of the army - thus depictingNationalists not only as the enemies of the Sultanate but also as the enemies of God. Under British pressure, the Disciplinary Force, also known as theArmy of the Caliphate, was established byDamat Ferid Pasha to link up with the Circassian warlordAhmed Anzavur and crush the nationalists. SultanMehmed VI charged his minister of war,Şevket Süleyman Paşa to command the force.
Supported by the British, the Sultan began a propaganda war throughout the country. Relayed by imams, he urged the Turks to take up arms against the Nationalists of GeneralMustafa Kemal, presented as the enemies of God.
Despite its name, European observers mocked the lack of discipline of the force, especially those among its general staff. Low enthusiasm in Istanbul's mission meant the Disciplinary Force marched off just half a division strong. Many of soldiers even joined theNational Forces after being routed byAli Fuad's men inİzmit, and the force was disbanded after some three-month existence. All the Disciplinary Force gave the Istanbul government was a financial crisis due to the army's expenses.[2][3]
The defeat of the Army of the Caliphate, a sign of the end of the influence of theOttoman Sultan in Turkey, ended the civil war and heralded the beginning of the War of Independence against the occupying nations, which culminated in the victory of the Nationalists and the dissolution of theOttoman Empire.