Why Is This Ottoman Train In The Middle Of The Desert For 105 Years?

British spy of the time known as Lawrence of Arabia, On the Hejaz Railway This train belonging to the Ottoman Empire, which the Arabs had sabotaged, both impresses and surprises those who see it, as it has been standing in the same place for exactly 105 years.

It is noted that the train is an important example in transferring knowledge to future generations. Taking a journey together in history to the painful story of this train Let’s testify.

In the last period of the Ottoman Empire, there was a railway project with great political effects.

This project, known as the Hejaz Railway Project, II. It was completed by Abdulhamid. But the project, which was a great threat to the British in World War I, was tried to be destroyed. Here is the starting point of the story.

Sultan II of the project. It was decided to be built during the reign of Abdülhamid. In fact, the project was originally conceived as a continuation of the Baghdad Railway. Both railways will start from Istanbul and reach Damascus; from there too It was to be connected to Mecca and Medina. In this way, a strong connection would be established with the Hijaz. This meant an increase in Ottoman dominance in the Middle East.

But this project did not please the British, whose arm the Middle East had lost.

Predicting that the railway will be used for military purposes England almost fought for the project not to be realized. He started to provoke the Arabs in the region by arguing that with the project, their traditions could be broken and their whole lives would be turned upside down. Indeed, it was successful.

While the World War was going on with all its violence, the Ottoman Empire was fighting on 10 fronts.

Ottoman soldiers suffered great casualties on the Baghdad, Hejaz and Jordan-Canal fronts. For the imperialist states, new colonies were necessary. For this reason, those who were under the rule of the Ottoman They had cut down tribes in the Arabian Peninsula.

Sharif Hussein was the organizer of the revolt that would end the almost 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire in Syria and Palestine. Allied Powers in Arabia Promises to recognize Sharif Hussein’s rule He started the rebellion on 5 June 1916.

Edward Lawrence, who caused this revolt and provoked the Arabs against the Ottomans, was also there.

It would be appropriate here to mention who Lawrence is. By arming the Arab tribes in the Arab Revolt and the Sinai and Palestine Front events in 1916-1918 in their revolt against the Ottomans. He is famous for his role. He was also called “Lawrence of Arabia” because of his role here.

Organized Arab rebels targeted the railway. During the attack in 1917, the train departing from the Hejaz Railway was blown up.

The train, which suddenly derailed and flew into the air, stopped itself by laying on its side towards the desert. As planned, the Ottoman connection with these regions was severed after this explosion. Rebel Sharif HusseinThis event, which occurred after the establishment of an independent Arab state promised by the agreement made by Saudi Arabia, has been accepted as the achievement of independence by Saudi Arabia.

He was assassinated that day and Turkish soldiers were martyred That train is still standing where it lies. Moreover, Saudi Arabia shows this train to visitors as a sign of victory against the Ottoman Empire. This project, which was the idea of ​​Sultan Abdulhamid, was not discussed again, but alternatives to this railway were developed with different projects.

This event was later made into movies. of the explosion Here is a snippet of the moments when he was revived: