Kâzım Karabekir was born in 1882 in Istanbul. He graduated from Fatih Military Junior High School in 1896, Kuleli Military High School in 1899, and the War Academy (Harbiye) in 1902. After completing the Staff College (Erkan-ı Harbiye Mektebi) in 1905, he was appointed as a Staff Captain to Manastır.
After the Second Constitutional Era, he was appointed as the staff officer of the 3rd Division of the Edirne Army, which was part of the 2nd Army. During the 31 March Incident (1909), he served in the Action Army. He participated in the Balkan Wars of 1912 and fought in the defense of Edirne. In 1915, with the rank of colonel, he became the chief of staff to German Marshal von der Goltz and served in Iraq. In 1916, as commander of the 18th Corps, he fought against the British and captured Kut al-Amara. In 1918, while commanding the 2nd Corps, he also acted as the commander of the 2nd Army. He recaptured Erzurum and Erzincan from the Armenians. He occupied Armenian-populated regions and Iranian Azerbaijan, driving the British out of the area. That same year, he was promoted to the rank of Mirliva (Major General).
After the Armistice of Mudros in 1918, he declined the proposal to become Chief of General Staff from Grand Vizier Ahmed İzzet Pasha and was appointed commander of the 15th Corps in Erzurum. He played an important role in the convening of the Erzurum Congress. Following Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s resignation from the army, he stood by his side.
During the War of Independence, he served as the deputy for Edirne in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and as the Commander of the Eastern Front. In this role, he led the operation to recapture Kars and Sarıkamış from the Armenians, successfully defeating them. During this period, he was promoted to the rank of Ferik (Lieutenant General). He also signed the Treaty of Gümrü on behalf of the Ankara Government.
After the War of Independence, he was appointed Inspector of the First Army. In 1923, he was elected to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) as a deputy representing Istanbul. In 1924, he resigned from the People's Party (Halk Fırkası, later CHP) and, together with Rauf Orbay, Ali Fuat Cebesoy, and Cafer Tayyar Eğilmez, founded the Progressive Republican Party (Terakkiperver Cumhuriyetçi Fırka, TpCF). Shortly afterward, the TpCF was accused of being a religiously motivated party, and the significant popular support it received caused concern among the leaders. Indeed, following the Sheikh Said Rebellion in 1925, the TpCF was shut down.
In 1926, he was prosecuted in connection with the assassination attempt against Atatürk in İzmir. Tried before the Independence Tribunal (İstiklal Mahkemesi) with a demand for the death penalty, he was ultimately acquitted. Following this incident, he withdrew from the political arena and declined all subsequent offers to become a member of parliament again.
After Atatürk’s death, he returned to political life and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Istanbul in the elections held on January 6, 1939. He was elected Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in 1946. He passed away on January 17, 1948.
Kazım Karabekir published books mainly recounting his memories from the years of war and politics.
- Serbian and Bulgarian Campaigns (Sırp ve Bulgar Seferleri, 1911)
- Armenian Atrocities (Ermeni Mezalimi, 1918)
- Fundamentals of Our War of Independence (İstiklâl Harbimizin Esasları, 1933)
- Why and How We Entered the World War (Cihan Harbine Neden Girdik, Nasıl Girdik, 1936)
- Liberation of Erzincan and Erzurum (Erzincan ve Erzurum’un Kurtuluşu, 1939)
- Enver Pasha and the Committee of Union and Progress in Our War of Independence (İstiklal Harbimizde Enver Paşa ve İttihat Terakki Fırkası, posthumous 1960)
- The Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyeti, posthumous 1982)
He conducted work across a wide range of fields. He was interested in music and composed marches. Some of his works are as follows:
