Iron Storm: History of the world from 1903-2024

Chapter 2: Dawn of a Kingdom

A few weeks after the Treaty of Mosul was signed, General Ahmad and his forces had officially left the territory of Mesopotamia which was made up of eastern Syria, Iraq and south eastern Anatolia, the CHP government in Ankara was furious by the news but was too busy dealing with other matters that they let it slide.
Meanwhile in the Provisional Government the former united front had begun fracturing into various political factions, General Malik had established the Arab Revolutionary movement and started advocating for Arab nationalism, a new ideology that had emerged in Hejaz, the Kurdish Independence Party had been established by a Kurdish tribal leader by the name of Hassan Al-Rawi and Sargon Nader who had established the Assyrian liberation front.  Layla sat in her office reading the various reports from her chief Intelligence Advisor, Narine.  "Artin I don't know what to do, I lead these people to independence and looking at these reports I may have just made a huge mistake" Layla said pacing around her office in the capital, her head guard Artin was standing at the door "my lady what if you were to establish a party of unity, you were their leader they'll follow you, become the Queen of your people" Layla thought over the idea, "Artin that is a brilliant idea, Garo you and Artin follow me" Layla and her bodyguard made their way to chambers were the parties were debating "Attention, Commander Layla Bagratoni has an announcement" Artin said before stepping back for Layla.

"Arabs, Assyrians, Kurds, we are not enemies we fought the Ottoman Empire and won, together we are stronger and together we can forge a united Mesopotamia, that's why today I'm announcing the formation of the Mesopotamian National Congress, together only we can stand up against outside threats".

A week later the first election would be held and be an overwhelming victory for the MNC, the various opposition parties in response would unite behind them leading to the United Mesopotamian Alliance, advocating for Pan-Mesopotamian nationalism and cooperation, the next day Layla would appoint Sargon Nader as the first Prime Minister of Mesopotamia, following this Layla would be Crowned as the First Queen of Mesopotamia officially declaring the United Kingdom of Mesopotamia.

The days following the historic election and subsequent Coronation were met with celebration which would continue as Queen Layla I would be Married to Prince Elias I, the second son of King Michel IV of the neighboring Phoenician Kingdom, the marriage which was matrilineal in nature was seen as not only as the first diplomatic act of the new country but also as a special moment for Layla as well she married Prince Elias for diplomatic relations, the two of them had been friends for awhile now as they had both attended a military academy in Munich.

But with all good things, they must come to an end and the end of 1913 was seen as the beginning of the end. The British destroyer HMS Victoria had fired on a breakaway state in eastern Constantinople, the shelling killing 17 people, the Italian government who had claimed protection over the free city of Bosnograd immediately declared war against the British empire, the Germans and Austrians would later join in when France and Russia declared war on Italy.  The Ottomans used this opportunity to move into Bosnograd putting them at war with the central powers, The Great War had begun.

Queen Layla sat in the cabinet chambers, her advisers, the prime minister and her husband the prince consort sat in various positions, "We should use this opportunity to declare full independence from the Ottoman Empire, end this state of autonomy" General Malik said, "and allow the British or French to take advantage of that and occupy our lands?" Colonel Karim said leaning back in his chair.  "I agree with Colonel Karim, if we declare independence too early we risk the Entente deploying troops" said Colonel Noura, General Malik looked at Layla "your highness what should we do?" Layla looked at a map of Mesopotamia and stood up walking over to a window "I agree with both positions but the security of Mesopotamia needs to come first, which is I will address the entente and central powers, Mesopotamia will remain neutral in this conflict and will allow no side to deploy troops, any attempt to violate this agreement will be met with a declaration of war, and at the point when it is possible we will declare full independence" the room stood and clapped and the prime minister dismissed the meeting.  Layla would then deliver her speech to the international community, afterwards Layla would be in her quarters with just her husband, the first time the two had been truly alone and together since their marriage "Elias did I make the right decision?" Elias pulled Layla in close and kissed her lips, "of course you did there was no right choice and you did the best for your people" the royal couple embraced each other and fell into bed.

August 6th, 1914. Despite the war ongoing in Europe, over In Mesopotamia it was a time of celebration, Layla had given birth to her first child, a daughter that she would name her Liana, Queen Layla and Prince consort Elias would later announce the birth of their daughter to which Layla would declare absolute primogeniture succession making Liana the Crown Princess of Mesopotamia.  But the celebrations would not last just 2 days later Ottoman forces under the command of General Ahmad had invaded the province of Diyarbakir and was moving south, General Malik was deployed to the front but would be forced to retreat back to Mosul after General Ahmad was reinforced by Russian forces, the royal family was now in danger of capture and so Layla ordered her family to be moved to Baghdad, she would assign Captain Ashur Marzouk and Artin to protect them meanwhile Layla would stay in the capital and help defend the city if the need came, and since it was all but official Layla would officially join the war in 1914, the 2nd Mesopotamian-Turkish war had begun.