The landing of the Greek army in Smyrna incensed Turkish fanatics. On the day of the landing clashes between Greeks and Turks took place, resulting in casualties.

When Eleftherios Venizelos was informed about the incidents he urgently dispatched Emmanouil Repoulis to Smyrna to take charge of the situation. On the very same day investigations began and the next day a court-martial sentenced to death two Greeks.
On 19 May, with the departure of Repoulis and the arrival of Aristeidis Stergiadis, appointed already by Venizelos as High Commissioner of Smyrna, order was restored in the city. Incidents and clashes with the Turks took place in the same period in Aydin and Pergamon. These incidents tarnished Greece's position in the peace negotiations, especially after the publication of the findings of the Allied Commission of Enquiry in October, which blamed Greece to a large extent. In November the Supreme Council urged Greece to be cautious, reminding her that occupation was temporary. The Greek reaction was expressed by a letter of Venizelos to Clemenceau, mover of the decision, and of Chrysostomos, metropolitan of Smyrna, on behalf of the Greeks of Asia Minor.

In the ensuing period, until the summer of 1920, Greek troops (always with the consent of the Allies) pushed their area of control further and further inland, carrying out 'cleansing' operations as they went.

In June 1920 Artake and Panormos were captured. Thus, in October of that year the Greek zone extended as far as the Brusa-Ushak line, a zone much wider than that provided by the Treaty of Sevres, which had been signed in the summer. Besides, in May 1920 the Greek army, by an allied decision, had occupied eastern Thrace after the suppression of the autonomist movement of Jafar Tayar.

Allied unanimity, however, regarding Greece's military occupation of Smyrna, was totally fictitious and temporary. The different competitive pursuits of the Great Powers in an area of strategic position would soon be highlighted and would lead to their clear opposition that would annul the gratification of Greek aspirations. The Allies opted for different measures, favourable from now on to the Turkish side. It should not be forgotten that Soviet diplomacy emerged with the intention of reinforcing Kemal in his resistance against the western allies. This factor directed the Western Powers to treat the Kemalist movement more favourably.