THE BATTLE OF GHARAKILISA took place on May 24-28, 1918 between the Turkish and Armenian troops near Gharakilisa (now Vanadzor). After October Revolution of 1917, Russian troops left Western Armenia and Armenian volunteer corps under the command of General Tovmas Nazarbekov (Nazarbekyan) was left alone against the superior Turkish forces. Violating the armistice with the Transcaucasian commissariat signed in Erznka on December 5, 1917, the Turks invaded Western Armenia in early 1918, recaptured Erznka, Karin, Sarighamish, Kars, and Aleksandrapol on May 15.

Under the pressure of superior Turkish forces Armenian corps retreated, thousands of Western Armenians migrated. Their safety was  secured by the detachment of Andranik. Part of Turkish troops moved in the direction of Yerevan from Aleksandropol (See the battle of Sardarapat), the other - towards Gharakilisa. On May 20 Turks captured Jajur, Aghbulad, Ghaltaghchi, and Vorontsovka on May 21. After two days of fighting (May 21-22) at the Jalaloghli (now Stepanavan), the detachment of Andranik stopped in the village of Dsegh, and then moved to Dilijan. By the command of General Nazarbekov the 1st Armenian Division (Commander - Bey Mamikonyan) and two mountain batteries moved to Shahali, the rest of them concentrated near Dilijan. On May 24 Turks occupied Hamamlu (now Spitak). The Armenian troops concentrated near Gharakilisa (Commander –T. Nazarbekov) consisted of 6000 soldiers, 70 guns and 20 machine guns and the Turkish army (Commander Javad Bey) had 10,000 soldiers, 70 guns and 40 machine guns. The Armenian residents of neighboring villages participated in fightings.

Fierce fighting took place near the villages Ghshlag, on the outskirts of Bzovdal, at the slopes of Mount Maymehk and the Armenian troops forced numerous Turkish troops to retreat to Hamamlu. Armenians suffered heavy losses during the fights (about 2,500 killed, wounded and hostages). Turks also suffered great losses, but receiving solid reinforcements they counterattacked and the Armenian troops were forced to retreat to Dilijan.The Turkish troops massacred the Armenian population, destroyed the villages in Gharakilisa and nearby villages. 

The commander of the Turkish troops in the Caucasus Vehib Pasha later, during the negotiations in Batum, acknowledged that the battle of Gharakilisa “was exceptional in the war history. Armenians proved that they can be the best warriors of the world." Thanks to the battles of  Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa the Turks couldn’t manage to enter  Yerevan, Ararat valley and Sevan. After the  battle of Gharakilisa the Turks moved to Kazakh, Gandzak and Baku.

Source-Encyclopedia “The Armenian Question”, Yerevan, 1996.

 
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