The ensuing conflict saw brutal violence, with Balkan Christians ruthlessly slaughtering Muslim populations. Amid the chaos, a temporary peace was brokered in London. As part of the negotiations, Bulgaria occupied Edirne, demanding its cession as a condition for permanent peace. This demand was unacceptable to the Ottoman Empire. In January 1913, the major European powers advised the Ottoman Khalifah to relinquish Edirne to the Balkan states.
The Grand Vizier, Kamil Pasha, an ally of Britain, agreed to consider this advice. However, just as acceptance seemed imminent, Enver Pasha, who had recently returned from the Tripoli campaign, dramatically intervened. Enver Pasha stormed the Grand Vizier’s palace and assassinated Nazim Pasha. This act led to the resignation of Kamil Pasha and the appointment of Mahmud Shevket Pasha as the new Grand Vizier.
With this change in leadership, the temporary peace collapsed, and hostilities resumed. The Ottoman armies suffered defeats, notably at the hands of the Bulgarians. Greece also renewed its offensive, capturing Samos Island. By March 1913, Bulgaria had occupied Edirne, solidifying its position.
In April 1913, another temporary peace agreement was reached between the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. This period marked a significant loss of Ottoman territories in Europe and a shift in the region's power dynamics, setting the stage for further conflicts and shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Balkans.
The war underscored the declining power of the Ottoman Empire and the rising influence of the Balkan states, influencing subsequent historical developments in the region.
The Balkan Wars and the Decline of the Ottoman Empire
