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The Battle of Karakilisa (Armenian: Կարակիլիսի ճակատամարտ) was a battle of Caucasus Campaign of World War I that took place in the vicinity of Vanadzor, in 1918. The Armenian defenders managed to turn back the outnumbered invading Ottoman forces, which breaking the armistice signed in December 1917 with Transcaucasian commissariat entered Western Armenia, conquering Erznka, Erzerum, Sarighamish, Kars, Alexandropol reached Karakilisa. The victory here as well as at Sardarapat and Abaran were instrumental in allowing the Democratic Republic of Armenia to come into existence.
On the start of 1918 Osman army invaded Armenia, breaking armistice, signed in December 1917 with Transcaucasian commissariat. In several months Armenian cities of Erznka, Erzerum, Sarighamish, Kars, Alexandropol were conquered. On 20th of May they conquered Akhbulag, Djrajur and Kaltakhchi villages, on 21st - Vorontsovka. Pressed by Turkish regular army, Armenian forces were retreating. Part of Osman-Turkish forces moved to Yerevan, another one to Karakilisa. The latter forces included about 10 thousand soldiers, 70 pieces of artillery and 40 machine-guns. Armenian population was leaving their homes moving to the south to Yerevan and Syunik. Garegin Njdeh with his troop reached Karakilisa and managed to unite the population for the fight. The Armenian forces reached the number of 6 thousands with 70 pieces of artillery and 20 machine-guns. After violent battle for 4 days both parts had serious looses. And although Osman army managed to invade Karakilisa and slaughter about 4 thousand Armenians in the city, they had no more forces to continue deeper into Armenian territory. [1][2]
[edit] References
- ^ Hohanissian, Richard G. (1997) The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times. New York. St. Martin's Press, 299
- ^ Walker, Christopher (1980). ARMENIA: The Survival of a Nation. New York: St. Martin's Press, p. 254. ISBN 0709902107.
Ottoman Empire
