The French occupation of Thessaly took place in June 1917, during the First World War, as part of the Allied intervention in the Greek National Schism.

[1] The chief military confrontation of the operation occurred when the French attempted to disarm the 1/38 Evzone Regiment in Larissa, under the command of Lt.

The French launched Moroccan sipahis in pursuit of the unit, encircling it and forcing it to surrender after clashes (named "Battle of the Flag", as the Greeks carried the regimental standard with them) that claimed the lives of 59 Greek officers and soldiers, as well as seven killed and 15 wounded on the French side.

At least 200 royalist Greek MPs, municipal leaders, lawyers and doctors were introduced into a prison camp in Thessaloniki.

The Thessaloniki concentration camp was surrounded by double rows of wire mesh, and the guard was made up of Cambodian and Senegalese soldiers.