Turkish-German activities for Abyssinia and Abyssinia during the First World War

The position of Abyssinia in the first World War is highly important to both the Central Powers and the Allied States. The interests of the allied states, especially Britain's on the Arabian Peninsula, could be damaged by any threat from the opposite coast of the Red Sea. During the war period, Abyssinia was neutral and the only independent African country in East Africa. This country, which had no land on the Red Sea coast, shared its borders with the European colonial governments. The ruler Lij Iyasu was on the throne of Abyssinia between 1911 and 1916. Iyasu's political goals during this period seem distinctly incompatible with the interests of the Allies. At this point it is understood that attempts by foreign states to influence the country during the war have also intensified. Lij Iyasu's close policy towards the central forces is alleged to have been encouraged by embassies from Turkish-German activities and missions and political agents with various intelligence objectives. In this regard, the Leo Frobenius mission, an example of Turkish-German activities, is examined. At the same time, the efforts of Britain, France and Italy to gain control over Abyssinia before, during and after the war are also highlighted and examined. The support from Lij Iyasu that Muhammad Abdullah bin Hassan received, the leader of the anti-colonial resistance in Somalia, was seen as important in Understanding Abyssinia's policies. The developments in Abyssinia during the war ended with the government coup of 1916 and formed the basis of the problems that this country would face at the end of the war. The allies ' attempts to impose an arms embargo on Abyssinia are viewed as an important action that is effective at this point. Keywords: World War I, Abyssinia, Lij Iyasu, 1916 Government Coup d'Etat, Ottoman Empires, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Sayyid Muhammad bin Abdullah Hassan