The Ottoman Empire fought alongside the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria) in the First World War. This was not the best decision for the empire as its defeat in this war led to its destruction.
A bit of background, The Ottoman Empire had a close relationship with Germany. Both nations also had a mutual dislike for Russia as Russia wanted the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), which was the Ottoman Capital.
The British also seized two ships that were being built by the Ottoman Empire which extremely soured relations. This also angered the public as they were the ones who had largely paid for it. This incident led the Ottomans to shelter two German ships which had fled from the British in Istanbul, and in return, the Germans gifted the Ottomans those ships.
On 27th October 1914, The ships that the Ottomans had been gifted — still manned by a German crew — launched the Black sea raid. This raid was an attack by the Ottoman navy on the major Russian ports of Odesa, Sevastopol, and Novorossiysk. This prompted a declaration of war from both Russia and Britain and put The Ottoman Empire firmly on the side of Germany and its allies.
