Iraqi oil (1888-1931) and the strategy of the Turkish petroleum company

Historically, oil has played a pivotal role in international conflicts. As the increasing need for oil as a fuel source became evident, nations began making significant efforts to control areas rich in oil resources. In this context, the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II took necessary measures to prevent these rich regions in the provinces of Baghdad, Mosul and Basra from falling into the hands of greedy nations, effectively making them his private property. The strong relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Germany, especially in terms of economic ties related to railroad construction, presented a significant opportunity for the Germans to easily obtain oil concessions. Consequently, the Germans were granted the first oil concession in these regions, which led to discontent among other major world powers that were not prepared to accept such losses. As political events surrounding this issue deteriorated, the situation turned against the Germans, marking a new era in the history of oil under the leadership of England. Although England was one of the countries that actively sought significant oil concessions, France and the United States pursued similar oil-focused policies. However, Britain, thanks to its astute policies and substantial financial resources, succeeded in establishing a company that became one of the foremost players in the region in the extraction and production of oil. Through this endeavor, the company obtained an official oil concession from the Iraqi government, granting it the ability to effectively implement its policies and strategies in the region. Keywords: Agreements, Baghdad, Iraqi Oil, Mosul, Oil Concessions, Turkish Petroleum Company