| Sasun Uprising | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||
| Ottoman Empire | Armenian militia | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| vali of Bitlis | Hrayr Tjokhk, Andranik Ozanian. | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| 15,000 troops | 1000 militiamen | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| Heavy casualties | |||||
The Sasun Uprising or Sasun Rebellion of 1904 (Armenian: Սասունի երկրորդ ապստամբութիւնը, Sasuni yerkrord apstambut'yunĕ, literaly Second Sassoun resistance) was the uprising and resistance of the Armenian militia in the Sason region.
The Ottoman Empire's forces that were previously defeated in the First Zeitun Resistance did not want the formation of another semi-autonomous Armenian region in the "Eastern" vilayets. In Sason, Armenian national liberation movement was working to arm the region and to recruit young Armenians by motivating them to the Armenian cause.
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The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation were two Armenian organizations of the Armenian national movement that was active in the region. The First Sassoun resistance or Sasun Resistance (1894) was the Armenian national movement's militia belonging to Hunchak. According to Cyrus Hamlin, Armenians instigate the event.[1] The region continued to be in conflict between the Armenian fedayee (Armenian irregular forces) and the Muslim Ottomans between the local Armenian villages. Many Armenians have been compelled to accept an Islam or Orthodoxy which in the latter case they used protection of Russian consulate.
In spring 1902, in Sason, has been sent the representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Vahan Manvelyan with the purpose to stop the insignificant skirmishes, only irritating the Turk, and to occupy in concentration of forces for the big revolt. By heads of revolt have been nominated Vahan and local native Hrayr Tjokhk. This concentration proceeded during all 1902–1903. So, in May, 1903, in Sasun, there has arrived the fighting group of Gorgos "Marrik". Vahan and Hrayr have considered it insufficient and have addressed to East bureau of a party with the request to send new forces; In September, the group from 150 fedayee led by Khan and Onik has been sent. However, at the transition of the Persian-Turkish border, it has been surrounded by Turkish armies with artillery and almost is completely destroyed. Taken place in February, 1903 in Sofia III, congress ARF has decided to transmit in order Sason of committee a lot of fighting groups.
By this time, approaches to Sasun have been blocked by a division of 4-th corps of army (8 battalions, subsequently this number is has reached 14 battalions; in total up to 10.000 soldier and policemen, and also 6–7 thousand irregular Kurdish horses). From the Armenian party was nearby 200 guerrilla under command Vahan, Hrayr and Andranik, along with Kevork Chavoush, Murad of Sebastia, Keri and others. Except for them, the peasants of 21 villages also armed should take participate in resistance, but not skilled in military science — defenders of Sasun totaled all up to 1000 persons. Andranik suggested to lift general revolt in Armenia that would force to disperse the Turk forces; Hrayr from its part objected, that the Armenian revolt which has been not supported by other people of the Ottoman empire, it will be doomed, and suggested to concentrate on defense of Sasun.
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 has attacked Kurds who together with Turkish armies have receded in Pasur. After that 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 broke on two groups: one, under direction of Sepukh and Murad of Sebastia, has moved in the direction Brlik, another, under direction of Hrayr, has risen in mountains. Turks, in amount 8 company and 4000 Kurdish horsemen, have rushed in Gelieguzan; Hrayr has been killed in 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, have undertaken the new attack, which, however, has been quickly beaten off by Armenians. On April 16, inhabitants of Ishkhanadzor have receded in 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 has 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 have held on till May 14 and have managed to leave, having guided the bridge. The victory and the Turks was 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»[2]
All it has been killed by different estimations from 3 up to 8 thousand person and 45 villages were 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.
The sultan has declared that forbids returning Armenians in Sason. However, it has caused the sharp protest of representatives of powers, and the sultan has been compelled (forced) to concede: under supervision and protection of consuls, 6000 inhabitants have returned to native places.
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