Mesopotamia was a back water of the Ottoman Empire in 1914. While Baghdad was to be part of the Berlin to Baghdad Railroad, the Ottoman Empire did not believe there would be much action in the area.

This was to change as the British were to look to the protection of their oil contracts in the Persian Gulf.

Ottoman Troop Locations in the Region
XIIth Army Corps
Cavalry Brigade
Infantry Division
Infantry Division

XIIIth Army Corps
Cavalry Regiment
Infantry Division
Infantry Division