06.11.2025 14:03
Archive documents from the early years of the Republic have revealed an unknown truth about the energy history of Anatolia. The documents uncovered by Taner Özdemir, a board member of the Turkish Language and Literature Association's Erzurum branch, challenge established beliefs regarding the source of Mosul's oil, while also bringing Erzurum's geological and strategic importance back into focus.
Documents unearthed from the State Archives fundamentally shake the established beliefs about the energy history of Anatolia. Taner Özdemir, a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Language and Literature Association's Erzurum Branch, uncovered a nearly forgotten document from the early years of the Republic during his extensive archival studies.
The document in question sheds light on the long-debated question regarding the source of Mosul's oil and reveals Erzurum's historical strategic importance once again. According to the document, the main veins feeding the Mosul oil originate from Erzurum's lands and were identified by Turkish engineers at that time. This information was published by AlAhram, a prominent Egyptian newspaper, on September 5, 1932. The report from the newspaper's Jaffa correspondent included the following statement: "Turks and the Mosul Oil Source - This Source Was Discovered by Turkish Engineers."
INFORMED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY TELEGRAM The person who read the news at that time and reported it in Milliyet Newspaper, Lawyer Hasan Abdulhadi, commented on the discovery as "news heralding a new era in terms of Turkey's underground wealth." A noteworthy detail is that this news was officially communicated to the Turkish government by the Consul General of Egypt in Cairo via telegram. Thus, it reached Turkey not only as a claim published in newspapers but also as verified information through diplomatic channels. This situation reveals that the energy potential of Erzurum and its geological connection to Mosul's oil were seriously monitored by the state officials of that time.
ENDOWED TO COVER THE EXPENSES OF CAFERIYE MOSQUE The documents also reveal the Russian drilling and geological studies conducted in different regions of Erzurum. Between 1916-1917, Russian engineers carried out drilling activities in various areas of Erzurum and reported that they had identified bituminous soil and weak oil leaks in their reports. These findings strengthen the possibility that the geological vein of Mosul's oil could extend to various regions of Erzurum and highlight the early energy potential of the region. Additionally, it is mentioned in the documents that the oil well located in Balıklı village (formerly known as Pülk village) was endowed to cover the expenses of Caferiye Mosque. This indicates the existence of a resource that is valued not only for its economic worth but also for its religious and social purpose. Together, the two different documents complementarily reveal Erzurum's oil potential and historical significance.
"ERZURUM IS ONE OF ANATOLIA'S ENERGY CENTERS" In his statement regarding the documents, Taner Özdemir shared the following: "This document reveals Erzurum's historical and strategic importance not only through its borders but also through its underground riches. At that time, Turkish engineers discussed the possibility that the oil veins in the region extended to Mosul and the potential for energy to be directed towards Trabzon. The fact that the well in Balıklı village was endowed for Caferiye Mosque shows that underground resources were evaluated not only economically but also in a social and cultural context. Furthermore, the fact that it was communicated to the government via telegram from the Consulate General in Cairo indicates that this information was seriously monitored by the highest authorities of the time. When we combine the documents, foundation records, and field findings, we see that Erzurum is not just a border city but also one of Anatolia's early energy centers. This is evidence that strategic energy planning was being made even in the early years of the Republic."
This discovery not only provides historical data but also shows how Erzurum's energy and cultural history are interconnected. The 1932 news from AlAhram, Taner Özdemir's archival studies, and the telegram from the Consulate General in Cairo still initiate a historical and strategic discussion today. When archives and field data come together, the question arises again: "Is the underground of Mosul actually originating from the depths of Erzurum?"