Sasun Uprising (1904) - Armed Conflicts

Armed Conflicts

The first fighting action has undertaken Kevork Chavoush against local Kurdish aka Kor Slo, for prevention of an attack of Kurds on five Armenian villages was among territory occupied by Kurds. By means of groups of Murad Sebastatsi and Seyto on January 17, he attacked Kurds who together with Turkish armies have receded in Pasur. After, Kevork, in view of impossibility of protection of these villages, ordered to move to inhabitants in Ishkhanadzor villages has ruined. At news about this, from its part, Seyto has attacked the Kurdish leader Salikh known for the cruelty concerning Armenians, has taken in a captivity and has with own hand shot, then also has receded in Ishkhanadzor.

Simultaneously, Armenians Western bureau of ARF and the Catholicos) tried to organize diplomatic pressure of powers upon Turkey. The Catholicos has addressed to great powers. English and French ambassadors in Constantinople have undertaken demarches before the sultan (the Russian ambassador has refused to participate in protection of Armenians). The sultan has answered, that in Sasun armies for protection of the population against robberies and violence will be sent. Then ambassadors have suggested the sultan to begin negotiations with risen so that they have peacefully left Sasun, having caused to represent itself as intermediaries. However, the Russian consul has delayed a trip and when ambassadors have arrived on a place, military actions were already in a heat.

By March 20, Turks have finished preparation for approach to the risen area. Armies had been plundered a number of boundary villages. Villages, according to the order Hrayr, did not resist. Local residents have flung in prison and have subjected to tortures, but to find out something about forces risen and could not. The command at Armenians was distribute as follows: defense of area Aliank and Shenik headed Hrayr, Andranik being in the village Tapyk, should interfere with promotion of the enemy on Gelieguzan, Kevork Chavoush protected Ishkhanadzor; Murad of Senastia, Akop Kotoian and Makar Spagantsi – the area Chaji Glukh.

On April 2, Turks have undertaken the first storm at support of mountain artillery. The storm has been beaten off. On April 10, the area has arrived bringing Vali of Bitlis with the significant military forces, accompanied Armenian bishops of Bitlis and Muş. On April 11, the second storm has been undertaken. About 7 thousand Turkish horsemen have rushed into the village Shenik, but Armenians were closed at them in rear, and Turks have appeared clamped between the Armenian positions in front and on the right and the заснеженными mountains at the left. After a four-hour fight, Turks have abandoned horses and the weapon and ran in the mountains pursued by Armenians. On April 12, to Armenians, the prior of monastery Surb Arakelots, Arakel, with the decree (kondak) the Catholicos has been sent, recommending Armenians to surrender in exchange for the Sultanian amnesty. Heads of revolt have declared, that will answer tomorrow, and have taken advantage of a delay that to move the population of some neighboring villages in Gelieguzan this night and to burn villages. From its part, Turks also did not perceive negotiations seriously and at a dawn on April 13, not waiting the answer of Armenians, have begun new approach.

Defenders were split on two groups: one, under direction of Sepukh and Murad of Sebastia, had moved in the direction of Brlik, and another, under direction of Hrayr, had moved into mountains. Eight companies of Turks and 4000 Kurdish horsemen rushed into Gelieguzan, with Hrayr being killed at the beginning of battle. The fierce hand-to-hand fight has begun; during the moment when business of Armenians seemed already lost, from east side of village has appeared with group Andranik and has struck in flank and rear to Turks. Turks ran, having lost, under newspaper messages, up to 136 person killed; Armenians had 7 killed and 8 wounded men.

On April 14, Turks, having received a reinforcement, had undertaken a new attack, which, however, has been quickly beaten off by Armenians. On April 16, inhabitants of Ishkhanadzor had receded to Talvorik; Turks have tried to cut off their course, but owing to persistent resistance and the help of group from Talvorik Ishkhanadzorers it was possible to break. On April 17, the new attack which also has been beaten off had been undertaken. On April 20, Turks have surrounded Gelieduzan and having subjected to its massed artillery bombardment. Seeing impossibility to keep further, fedayee led by Andranik at night also have receded in Talvorik. Inhabitants (up to 20 thousand – the population of five evacuated villages) ran a part in the mountains, a part on plain Mush, having undergone to ruthless slaughter. Talvorik resisted till May 6 and has fallen, when to Turks send reinforcements. 200 fedayee between Таlvorik and Gelieguzan had held on till May 14 and had managed to leave, having guided the bridge. The victory and the Turks were accompanied by a mass slaughter:

Women have been stolen, to them cut off a breast, ripped up stomaches, children to impale, old men splitted up for parts. Young girls withdrew in uncountable set.… since May 5th, Turkish armies have wiped out one behind another villages in areas Berdakh, Mkragom, Alikrpo, Avazakhiubr, Arnist.

According to different estimates, anywhere from 3 to 8 thousand people were killed along with 45 villages destroyed. To hide traces of slaughter from the European consuls, bring vali of Bitlis has ordered to cut corpses on pieces and to throw them in р. Tiger.