ABSTRACT
Hatay is a southern appendage of Turkey and the only part of the states territory that is within the Levant. Under the terms of the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 16 May 1916, and with the subsequent agreement of the Allies at the San Remo Conference in April 1920, France was given the mandate over Syria, including Hatay. On 9 September 1936, Syria became independent and its territorial integrity was confirmed in a treaty with France. Finally, on 23 June 1939, France recognised the transfer of the territory in exchange for a non-aggression pact that ensured Turkish neutrality during World War II. Thus, essentially as a result of political manoeuvring and military pressure, Hatay was moved from Syrian to Turkish control. The major Turkish grievance is about alleged Syrian support for the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), while Syria is worried about Turkeys plans for large-scale irrigation and hydro-electric power projects which will reduce the flow of the Tigris and, particularly, the Euphrates.
