following the formation of the yildirim army group substantial forces were deployed to syria and palestine, where they continued to hold the fourth army defenses. already in palestine were the 3rd, 7th, 16th, and 54th infantry divisions while the 26th 27th, and 53rd infantry divisions arrived during the summer. the 3rd, 7th 16th, and 26th infantry divisions had fought in the gallipoli campaign and the 3rd cavalry division had fought in the caucasian campaigns.