Zeki Pasha

Who was Zeki Pasha?

Zeki Pasha or Zekki Pasha or Zeki Baraz Kolaç or Zeki Kolaç or Mehmet Zeki Baraz was a Balkan Wars and World War I Müşir of the Ottoman forces in the Balkans.

He graduated from the Ottoman Military Academy in 1883 and the Staff College in 1887. In 1894, as Commandant of the IV Corps, he was decorated for his participation during the Sassoun massacre. During the massacres, he reportedly stated, "not finding any rebellion we cleared the country so none should occur in the future.".

In 1912–1913, he was commander of the Vardar Army during the First Balkan War. Following the orders of Nazim Pasha, Chief of Staff of the Ottoman Army, Zeki Pasha initiated the Battle of Kumanovo.

His failure to emplace key artillery hindered the forces under his command and led to their defeat at Kumanovo. During the frantic Ottoman retreat from Kumanovo, a disgruntled Ottoman soldier attempted to assassinate him, contributing to the panic. The Vardar Army; consisting of the VII Corps commanded by Fethi Pasha, the VI Corps commanded by Djavid Pasha and the V Corps commanded by Kara Said Pasha, all under Zeki Pasha's command, retreated to Monastir after the defeat at Kumanovo.