Pontic Greek genocide
Under the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Pontic Greeks were forced to leave their homes and had to go onto death marches through the Syrian desert. The Greeks walked for weeks, even months and many lost their lives because there was not enough food, water or protection. They were joined by two violent groups: The Teşkilât-ı Mahsusa, which was a secret police of the Ministry of War under the Ottoman Empire, and Çetes, who were organized criminals. Both groups created even worse conditions for the Pontic Greeks.