Agha Petros - World War I

World War I

After Russians Entered Urmia, Agha Petros was appointed as a general with a small Assyrian force under his command. He later successfully engaged forces of Ottoman and Kurds in a series of battles. He was later approached by the Allies and was given command of the left wing of the army of Assyrian Volunteers (the right wing being commanded by Mar Shimun’s brother David Shimunaia, the center being under the command of Mar Shimun).

His volunteers had quite a few successes over the Ottoman forces, notably at Suldouze where Petros’ 1,500 horsemen overcame the forces of Kheiri Bey's (8,000 men). Petros also defeated the Ottoman Turks in a major engagement at Sauj Bulak and drove them back to Rowanduz.

Agha Petros defeated the Turks in Sauj Bulak and drove them back to Rowanduz. He sometimes had limited control over Armenians and other Assyrian forces, and was indeed mistrusted by quite a few of them. There was disunion in the ranks, instead of posting a force to contain the Turks who he had defeated he moved his forces to Sain Kala encouraged by the British officials, who had promised him military help. Nevertheless the British did not fulfilled their promises. He reached Sain Kala seven days after the British detachment retired.

Agha Petros had also some disagreements with Mar Shimun The Partiarch of the Assyrian Church of the East and was often mistrusted by his family. The Allied military advisors reported that he schemed against Mar Shimun, by trying to dissuade the Allies to trust the Patriarch. However, after the murder of Mar Shimun by the Ottoman Kurdish leader Simko, Agha Petros joined forces with Malik Khoshaba and others in defeating driving Simko from his stronghold at Koynashahr.