Semiryechensk Cossacks

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Semiryechensk Cossask Host (Семиреченское казачье войско in Russian; the correct name would be Semiryechye Cossack Host) was Cossack host in Imperial Russia, located in the Semiryechye Oblast (today's major part of Kyrgyzstan, Almaty oblysy, Taldy-Korgan (Taldyqorghan) oblysy and parts of the Taraz oblysy and Semey oblysy in Kazakhstan) with the center in Verny.

The Semirechensk Cossask Host was created out of a part of the Siberian Cossack Host in 1867. It was headed by nakazny ataman (who was the military governor of the oblast, at the same time), subordinated to the Governor General of the Steppe starting 1882 and later - Governor General of Turkestan starting 1899.

In the early 20th century, the Semirechensk Cossask Host supplied 1 cavalry regiment (4 sotnyas) and 1 platoon of guards in times of peace. In times of war, it supplied 3 cavalry regiments and 12 detached sotnyas. The Semirechensk Cossasks possessed 7,440 km² of land, including 710 km² of arable land. In 1916, The Cossack population in this region equaled approximately 45,000 people.

The Semirechensk Cossask Host supported the colonial policy of the Tsar in Kirgiziya and Kazakhstan, took part in conquering Central Asia and in the World War I. During the Russian Civil War, the prosperous leadership of the Semirechensk Cossask Host opposed the Soviets. After the defeat of the White movement in the Seven Rivers region (Semirechye) in April of 1920, the Semirechensk Cossask Host disbanded.