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99-607: Those efforts were countered by Armenian attempts to mitigate the plight through the establishment of humanitarian networks. Those provided for basic needs like food and hiding places. Several armed uprisings attempted to resist deportation, namely the Defence of Van (1915), in Musa Dag and Urfa. Still, violent resistance was rare and often not effective, compared to the humanitarian network which saved up to 200,000 Armenians from death. Local resistance movements were notably supported by

198-463: A day. The defenders also improvised mortars and barricades, and reportedly made use of anything they could find. On 6 May, a major Russian offensive toward Anatolia developed. The Ottoman defensive lines consisted of the X and XI Corps and the 5th Expeditionary Force at the north flank located beyond the province of Van. The north flank of the Russian advance, from Tortum valley toward Erzurum,

297-461: A force at Erciş (Ardjish) by Gendarmerie. Earlier, the tax collectors, accompanied by gendarmeries, went to north Van province to count the sheep which dictated the villagers' tax rates. Erciş was an administrative unit with 80 Armenian villages at north of Van. The tax collector gave the Sultan's recital of order regarding the calculation of tax values. Disagreement ensued between the villagers and

396-405: A large Christian population, mostly Armenian and Assyrian. Many of them fled with the retreating Russian army in a winter trek to the Russian border town of Julfa . Those that remained endured a period of looting and massacre; many villages were plundered and destroyed. After an unsuccessful campaign led by Djevdet Bey to capture Khoi , 160 kilometres (99 miles) north-west of Tabriz, Djevdet ordered

495-550: A member of the ARF, and Arshak Vramian , he deputy of the Ottoman Parliament from Van. Vramian was also an old classmate of Djevdet's. Tahsin wrote to Talat Pasha on 13 May 1915: There would have been no revolt at Van if we had not ourselves created [it], with our own hands, by using force, this impossible situation from which we are incapable of extricating ourselves, and also the difficult position in which we have put

594-564: A missionary and representative of the United States, to mediate between them and Djevdet. Djevdet attempted to violate the diplomatic immunity of Ussher's compound by trying to garrison 50 Ottoman soldiers inside. It became clear to Ussher that mediation attempts would be futile. However, reports at the time were also showing that the Armenians had begun to gather volunteers for an organized defense. On 15 April, Armenians had mustered

693-758: A printing press in Van, and thereafter launched Vaspurakan Ardzvi (Eagle of Vaspourakan), which was the first periodical publication in Armenia. In 1885, the Armenakan party was established in the city of Van. Soon after, the Hnchak and Dashnak parties, whose missions were the overthrow of the Ottoman rule in Eastern Anatolia ( Six vilayets ), established branches in the city. Throughout 1895–96 Armenians in

792-718: A provisional force that would be channeled into the planned theatre using the roads in Van Province. Whilst Turkish preparations were underway, the Russians transferred Armenian General Tovmas Nazarbekian to the Russian-occupied Persian Azerbaijan . Theodore G. Chernozubov 's Persian Cossack Brigade had been operationally deployed in Persia since 1906. During this period, the Ottoman authorities distributed 24,000 rifles to Kurds in Persia and

891-493: A reign of terror in the outlying villages of the province on the pretext of searching for arms." In the process, the Ottoman gendarmeries killed many Armenians. The Armenian leaders of Van in the meanwhile implored the people to endure in silence. " Better, " they said, " that some villages be burned and destroyed unavenged than give the slightest pretext to the Moslems for a general massacre. ". However, there were also reports at

990-554: A result of these operations to the north of Lake Van, the Russians evacuated their remaining combat forces from the city of Van. Armen Garo , and his assistant, Khetcho asked General Abatzieff to permit the Armenian inhabitants in the Van area to move with the Russian army toward Iğdır . This request was rejected on the grounds that the movement of vital Russian army transports could not done promptly if hampered by refugees. For eight consecutive days during July, General Nikolaeff kept

1089-750: A transnational network of help, namely the ABCFM , US Armenian relief committee, and missionaries. Additionally, military efforts to counter the Ottoman Army were conducted by Armenian forces, such as the Armenian Resistance Forces (called fedayeen/ fedayis ) and the Armenian irregular units . Those supported Russian efforts to advance on the Ottoman front in the Caucasus. Humanitarian resistance refers to illegal conduct to mitigate

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1188-663: Is a dish of boiled, cracked, or coarsely-ground cracked wheat or bulgur , mixed with meat and seasoned. Its consistency varies between a porridge and a gruel . Harees is a popular dish known throughout Armenia where it is served on Easter day , and the Arab world , where it is commonly eaten in Arab states of the Persian Gulf in the month of Ramadan , and in Iraq , Lebanon and Bahrain during Ashura by Shia Muslims . "Harisa", also transliterated as "horisa", derived from

1287-689: Is a popular dish in Arab cuisine , from the Levant to the Persian Gulf . It is often served during Ramadan , festivals such as Eid ul-Fitr , and at weddings. In Lebanon, it is often cooked on religious occasions in a communal pot, such as in Ashura . Harise is also a common dish in Syrian cuisine and Iraqi cuisine . Formerly found only in homes, it is now served in restaurants as well. Harisa ( Armenian : հարիսա , romanized :  harisa )

1386-535: Is soaked overnight, then simmered in water along with meat and butter or sheep tail fat. Any remaining liquid is strained and the mixture is beaten and seasoned. Harees may be garnished with cinnamon, sugar, and clarified butter. There is a different traditional way of preparing Harees in each of the Arab countries in the Arabian Peninsula area, and among the tribes of these countries. Some variations include

1485-462: Is still prepared by many Armenians around the world and is also considered the national dish of Armenia. According to medieval Armenian lore, the patron saint of Armenia, Gregory the Illuminator , was offering a meal of love and charity to the poor. There weren't enough sheep to feed the crowds so wheat was added to the cooking pots. They noticed that the wheat was sticking to the bottom of

1584-423: Is traditionally served on Easter day , and is considered a national dish of Armenia . It is a thick porridge made from korkot (dried or roasted cracked wheat) and fat-rich meat, usually chicken or lamb. Herbs were substituted for meat in harissa when Armenian religious days required fasting and penance. The extremely long cooking process is an essential part of the harisa tradition. Like other ritual dishes,

1683-696: The Armenian national liberation movement . Important members were Murad of Sebastia , and Karekin Pastermadjian . Their main aim was to pose resistance to the Ottoman Forces and to act as the defender of the Armenian nation. The ARF gained major importance during WWI on the Caucasus front, where they joined the Russian Army. Their participation contributed to the defeat of the Ottoman army in January 1916. Primary legions fighting with Russia in

1782-523: The Bargiri (Muradiye). However, it was a late move and far too weak to stop this advance. On 6 May, the conflicts around the citadel of Van (in the Kale District) were over. On the evening of 14 May, a group of ships filled with Turkish women and children evacuating the region sailed from Van. More ships followed the next day. On 16 May, an Ottoman bombardment of 46 shells covered the retreat of

1881-587: The Bargiri , Saray and Hoshap districts of Van province. The refugee group following the Russian forces were stopped by Kurdish forces while they crossed the mountain passes to the north of Pass of Beghrikale . At the Pass of Berkri Kale, the Armenian refugees suffered major casualties. Refugees that reached the other side were assisted by Armenian relief agencies. Harissa (dish) Harees , jareesh ( Arabic : هريس ), boko boko , or harisa ( Armenian : հարիսա , romanized :  harisa )

1980-654: The Hamidiye cavalry regiments . After the disastrous depletion of the 3rd Army in the Battle of Sarikamish , the gendarmerie, originally charged with police duties among civilian populations, was transferred to the 3rd Army in an attempt to restore combat effectiveness of the Ottoman Army's operational military forces. On 24 February 1915, the Ottomans were forced to send the Harput, Diyarbakir, and Bitlis gendarmerie units to

2079-611: The Minister of National Defence and Speaker of Grand National Assembly of Turkey , was the only force available to the Persian frontier. Earlier, on 14 December 1914, Van Mobile Gendarmerie Division had assumed the role of securing the road to Persia through the Qotur valley (Qotur Pass). This paramilitary formation was lightly equipped with artillery and machine guns, being primarily suited for internal security functions rather than for

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2178-544: The Ottoman Armenian population of the Van Vilayet in the 1915 Armenian genocide . Several contemporaneous observers and later historians have concluded that the Ottoman government deliberately instigated an armed Armenian resistance in the city and then used this insurgency as the main pretext to justify beginning the deportation and slaughter of Armenians throughout the empire. Witness reports agree that

2277-547: The Red Sunday ) requested the arrest of the leaders of Armenian community in the Ottoman capital and other centers. They were held in two holding centers near Ankara. Arshak Vramian was sent to the capital with a guard, and was reported to have been killed along the way. On 20 April, the Ottoman soldiers seized an Armenian woman who wanted to enter the city. Two Armenian men that came to help were shot dead. Armenians attacked an Ottoman patrol to Djevdet's anger. This act led

2376-466: The Van Province, Ottoman Empire had different values based on different sources. In 1914, Armenians lived on the shores of Lake Van . The major Armenian inhabited localities were the city of Van (consisting of three sub-sections which were Havasor ( Gürpınar ), Timar (Gedikbulak) and Archak (Erçek)). Armenians also lived in the district of Erciş (Artchesh, Akants) which was in the northern part of

2475-462: The 13th century, but historians remain uncertain. Harisa or Hareesa ( Kashmiri  : ۂرؠ سہٕ [hərʲsɨ] ) in Kashmir is prepared during winter ( Chillai Kalan ), typically made of mutton and rice flour and eaten with Kashmiri Bread called Girda ( Kashmiri  : گِردٕ [girdɨ] ). It is cooked in huge degs (earthen pots) placed in wood fired ovens. Downtown Srinagar is considered as

2574-406: The 3rd Army. Mirliva Abdulkerim Pasha managed to stop the Russian advance by 16 July. On 16 July, the Ottoman Army, having concentrated more forces than the Russians, thwarted a planned Russian offensive and pushed the Russian Army back at the Battle of Manzikert (10–26 July 1915), capturing the city. There then followed the Battle of Kara Killisse which saw the Russian recapture of Manzikert. As

2673-400: The 7th and 9th Infantry Regiments, a cavalry detachment, a field hospital, a transportation unit, an intelligence section, a mountain howitzer battalion with two batteries, a telegraph section, a field battery, an equipment repair battalion, a replacement depot and transportation assets. On 10 January 1915, while the 1st Expeditionary Force was on its way to Persian Azerbaijan, the original plan

2772-401: The ARF only Aram Manukian escaped. Djevdet also took action against the leaders of the ARF in Van. For the resistance, this was a sign that the city was not safe. Djevdet was believed to have thought that, by killing leaders of the Armenian parties, he would destroy the cohesion of the resistance. The minister of interior Mehmed Talat Bey with his order on 24 April (known by the Armenians as

2871-458: The Arabic verb "haras" meaning "to squish" to describe the action of breaking and pounding the grains before mixing it with water to create a porridge. In Arabic, "Harees" ( Arabic : هريس ) is linked to the verb ( Arabic : هَرَسَ , romanized :  harasa ) which still means to mash or to squash. According to Armenian lore, the patron saint of Armenia, Gregory the Illuminator ,

2970-560: The Armenian Quarter and suburb of Aigestan. Djevdet allowed Armenian survivors from the villages to enter the city through his lines. It is stated that this strategy was aimed to subdue the defenders with more ease. After easily fighting off the initial assaults, Armenian forces had great problems with their supply of ammunition. Armenians employed all sorts of devices to draw the fire of the enemy and waste their ammunition in turn. Their bullet and cartridge manufacturing reached 2,000

3069-402: The Armenian and Muslim quarters. Both sides had fortified buildings and trenches along the opposite side. The Armenian church at Arak was burned by Djevdet's forces. The initial line was held by Armenian civilian forces throughout the conflict. As part of their strategy, they also attacked the nearby Ottoman barracks, but besides this, they did not take much offensive action. Though enemy artillery

Armenian resistance during the Armenian genocide - Misplaced Pages Continue

3168-557: The Armenian community as the church toned down rebellious actions and emphasised patience instead. In some cases, military resistance was successful: Other resistance movements were shattered and had the effect of annihilation of entire villages. Unsuccessful resistance: Previous Armenian military resistances against forces of the Ottoman Empire were namely: The Armenian Resistance Forces (ARF) were established in 1890 out of Armenian volunteers called fedayis and of members of

3267-418: The Armenian leaders idle. The Russian General told them every day that he would not retreat under any circumstances, and that therefore it was entirely needless to remove the people. On 18 July, General Nikolaeff sent a dispatch to Aram Manukian, and Sargis Mehrabyan (Vartan) for evacuation. General Trokin was in the city at this time. He offered to evacuate the Armenian population to Russian territory through

3366-548: The Armenian population was 110,000. The original 1914 Ottoman census stated that Armenian population was 67,797 and Muslim population was 179,422. However, the 1914 official census was challenged both on Armenian and Muslim population sizes. It was found that the original 1914 Ottoman statistics claimed to be under-representative for the children, and the corrected values for the Van province were stated as 313,000 Muslim, 130,000 Armenian (25%), and approximately 65,000 Syrian, Chaldean , Nestorian and others. Population estimates for

3465-465: The Armenian posture at Van was defensive and an act of resistance to massacre. The self-defense action is frequently cited in Armenian genocide denial literature; it has become "the alpha and omega of the plea of ' military necessity '" to excuse the genocide and portray the persecution of Armenians as justified . During the late Ottoman period, Van was an important center of Armenian cultural, social, and economic life. Khrimian Hayrik established

3564-511: The Armenians of Van to remain loyal to the Ottoman government and not to antagonize it. The Turkish CUP regarded the Armenian congress as a seedbed for establishing the decision for the Turkish feared Armenian insurrection. Edward J. Erickson concluded that after this meeting, the CUP was convinced of strong Armenian-Russian links, with Erickson surmising that these links included detailed plans for

3663-476: The Armenians to furnish conscripts to be used for the establishment of Ottoman fortifications. Ussher would say "the Armenians who had practically decided to give the Vali [Jevdet] the four thousand men he had demanded, now dared not do so for they felt certain he intended to put the four thousand to death." Djevdet did not receive any Armenian soldiers from the city of Van after either requests. Persian Azerbaijan had

3762-472: The Bosporus, let all the peoples (Christians) remaining under the Turkish yoke receive freedom through your will. Let the Armenian people of Turkey, who have suffered for the faith of Christ, receive resurrection for a new and free life... ". Ottoman War Minister Enver Pasha wanted to encircle the Russian forces between Sarikamish and Ardahan . The Battle of Sarikamish (29 December 1914 – 4 January 1915)

3861-710: The Caucasian front. In the presence of the head of the Armenian Church and alongside Alexander Khatisyan president of the Armenian National Bureau in Tiflis, Nicholas II stated: " Armenians from all countries are hurrying to enter the ranks of the glorious Russian Army, and with their blood, to serve the victory of the Russian Army... Let the Russian flag wave freely over the Dardanelles and

3960-757: The Caucasus Campaign took place on 2 November 1914 with the Bergmann Offensive . The Russians collected victories along the Kara Kilise (renamed Karaköse in November 1919, present day Ağrı ) – Beyazit ( Doğubayazıt ) line. Beyazit was located in the north of the Province of Van, and Armenian volunteers provided aid as auxiliary forces to Russian regiments while capturing these regions. During December 1914, Nicholas II of Russia visited

4059-586: The Caucasus were the Armenian volunteer legion, staffed by the Armenian National Bureau (ANB) and through that indirectly through the ARF, dominating the ANB. The number of the fighters reached an estimated amount 5.000. Armenian resistance has left a symbolic dish. The " Harissa (dish) " ( Armenian : Հարիսա ): is generally served to commemorate the Musa Dagh resistance. Current practice renamed

Armenian resistance during the Armenian genocide - Misplaced Pages Continue

4158-537: The Ottoman Empire suffered a wave of violence commonly known as the Hamidian massacres . While Van largely avoided the massacres in 1895, the Ottomans sent a military expedition in June 1896. The Armenians of Van were initially able to defend themselves, but upon agreeing to disarm in exchange for safety, massacres continued, ending in the deaths of over 20,000 Armenians. The pre-war (World War I) demographic statistics of

4257-492: The Ottoman military forces to open fire upon the Armenian quarters of the city with artillery, effectively laying it under siege. This section of the city was called "Western Garden City". Armenian civilian forces fought in two disconnected sets of battles inside the city of Van. These battles were in the "Old City" (Kale District) and in the "Garden City" (Aygestan). The conflict in Garden City consisted of skirmishes along

4356-471: The Ottoman operations during critical times: "the delay they caused, enabled the Russian Caucasus Army to concentrate sufficient force around Sarikamish". After he returned to Constantinople, Enver blamed his defeat on Armenians living in the region, for actively siding with Russia. On 11 December 1914 Ottoman preparations for their Persian Campaign began with Enver Pasha's order to form

4455-443: The Ottomans. However, the Russians were busy fighting against the Ottomans and they did not have control of the countryside. The only power left in the countryside consisted of Armenian civilian forces. General Trukhin's 2nd Transbaikal Cossack Brigade did not reach Beghrikale until 24 May. General Nazarbekov 's 2nd Caucasian Rifle Brigade had been ordered to support Truhin was at Bashkale on 7 May. On 31 May, Trukhin entered city. On

4554-514: The Russian forces suffered reverses that would have severe consequences for the Armenian population in the city of Van. On 11 July, during a reorganisation of Turkish forces, Van province was assigned the responsibility of the Right wing group ( Sağ Cenah Grubu ) of the 3rd Army, along with the other southern provinces. Mirliva Abdulkerim Pasha was assigned as commander and Enver Pasha ordered this formation to be an independent operational entity of

4653-546: The Third Army. The Van Gendarmerie Division was placed under the command of Major Ferid, while Governor Djevdet kept only a small contingent. During December 1914, Djevdet Bey issued orders to secure the west of the province of Van, as Ottoman forces moved to start the Persian Campaign. CUP negotiators were sent to Erzurum and Van before Djevdet Bey left the city. These negotiators and Djevdet Bey wanted to test

4752-524: The Third and the Fourth Armies increase their surveillance and security measures. To contrast the directive, Felix Guse, commander in chief of the 3rd Army, wrote that there was no proof that the Armenians had planned or had any intentions of mounting a general uprising. On 23 March 1915, the 1st Expeditionary Force arrived in the vicinity of the city of Van and later stayed to the south of Van during

4851-497: The Turkish units. At the same time, there were reports of up to 6,000 Armenians being killed. Contemporary New York Times reports during April–June 1915 attributed the massacres and fighting to Kurdish auxiliary forces rather than Turkish units. Djevdet abandoned the city on the night between 16 and 17 May and retreated toward Bashkale, joining the 1st Expeditionary Force under the command of Kaymakam Halil Bey (Kut) . On 17 May, Armenian civilian forces officially had control of

4950-592: The Van Province was under way. This offensive complicated Turkish perceptions of Armenian intentions. The Russians began larger operations toward Saray and Van by 19 November. In November, the Turkish Gendarmerie units of the provincial security apparatus of the Governors changed hands, reverting to Turkish military command. This change included the units commanded by the governor of Van. The Van Gendarmerie and Van reserve cavalry divisions were assigned to

5049-621: The Van province. The Ottoman 1st Expeditionary Force was assigned to Chief of Intelligence of the Ottoman General Headquarters, Staff Lieutenant Colonel Kâzim Karabekir Bey . The 5th Expeditionary Force was assigned to Staff Lieutenant Colonel Halil Bey , who was the uncle of Enver Pasha and would defeat the British at Kut al Amara on 29 April 1916. The 1st Expeditionary Force was structurally self-sufficient, capable of independent operations, supplemented with

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5148-570: The able bodied men of Van so as there would be no defenders, as he had done in the villages under the pretexts of arms searches, searches that had turned into massacres. The Armenians, parlaying to gain time, offered to furnish five hundred soldiers and to pay exemption money for the rest." The Armenian conscription became an issue again when Djevdet returned to the city in April, during the Armenian Easter of 1915. Djevdet asked one more time for

5247-554: The army on the eastern front. During July 1914, Arshak Vramian, the deputy of the Van province, attended the negotiations with the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) as a liaison for the Armenian congress at Erzurum . The public conclusion of this congress was "Ostensibly conducted to peacefully advance Armenian demands by legitimate means". Armenian sources say that local Armenian leaders Aram Manukian, Arshak Vramian, Nikoghayos Poghos Mikaelian (Ishkhan), and Armenak Yekaryan told

5346-401: The attention of four Ottoman divisions and tens of thousands of Kurds during their retreat. The battalions of Armenian volunteers took no active part in the battles of July. They were undertaking the heavy duty of rear guard work for the Russian army and the Armenian refugees in the district of Van. On 4 August, Russian forces from Van made an exit toward Persia and took defensive positions at

5445-425: The beginning of the deportations, such efforts were still legal but with increasing tensions, those efforts faced crackdowns in 1915, criminalization and forcing to move into the underground. From this onwards, the resistance conducted fewer public actions. Refugees were hidden in private homes, community centres, and children in orphanages. Military factories and hospitals under the influence of network members served

5544-412: The camps helped Armenians to adapt to the new life realities. The full impact of the genocide was long withheld from the Ottoman and international public. Censorship of foreign embassies impeded international attention and intervention. To circumvent the Ottoman censoring, new modes of expression were employed. Such were quoting of biblical passages and literary works, which enabled a restricted spreading of

5643-483: The cauldrons. Saint Gregory advised, " Harekh! Stir it!" Thus, the name of the dish, harissa , came from the saint's own words. Harissa has been offered as a charity meal ever since. The dish is traditionally served on Easter day . It is still prepared by many Armenians around the world and is also considered the national dish of Armenia. Harisa is mentioned by Ibn Al Karim in Kitab Al-Tabikh as early as

5742-424: The city of Van proved more difficult to analyze. Extensive population movements in and around the city happened due to the deterioration of the economic and political situation before World War I. Ottoman population count at the time recorded 79,000 Muslims and 34,000 Armenians in the city of Van, including the immediate surrounding areas. The city of Van's Armenian population was estimated to be about 30,000 people in

5841-433: The city of Van secure. Upon the arrival of the Russians the Ottomans retreated west of Lake Van in the direction of Bitlis. Throughout June and July, as Turkish and Russian forces battled to the north of the Van region, thousands of Armenians from Mush and other neighbouring provinces started flooding into the city of Van. There were as many as 250,000 Armenians crowded into the city. This included people who broke away from

5940-466: The city of Van. There were 52,000 Ottoman troops in the Caucasus war zone during this period, with 75% located at the northern war zone, beyond the province of Van. The Ottoman units in the Van province consisted of Van Gendarmerie subdivisions that remained under the control of the Governor. The Van Gendarmerie Division also contained the artillery unit under Rafael de Nogale. The 36th Infantry Division

6039-507: The conflicts. Prior to these events, killings of Armenian males in the Van region were reported by neutral observers. Djevdet's extremism towards Armenians was more open: "a man of dangerously unpredictable moods, friendly one moment, ferociously hostile the next, capable of treacherous brutality" , he had been nicknamed "Nalband Bey" (Lord Blacksmith) after atrocities committed at Başkale in which he had nailed horseshoes onto his victims' feet. Upon returning to Van, Djevdet "instigated

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6138-435: The deportation columns as they passed the vicinity of the province on their way to Mosul. Before the crisis, the city of Van had housed and fed no more than 50,000 people. On 5 June 1915, the northern shores of lake Van were devoid of Ottoman forces. The Russians, advancing on lines to the north of Lake Van, pushed further west toward the Turkish city of Mush. As part of this new drive, the Russian army redeployed forces from

6237-520: The detachment of the region from the Ottoman Empire. Later, in September 1914, Turkish military operations, which included the search for arms, ammunition and operational documents, began. On 20 October 1914, the Turkish 4th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, patrolling Hasankale, reportedly discovered rifles hidden in Armenian homes. During this period, large numbers of Armenians with weapons were moving into Mush, Bitlis, and Van. Erickson concluded that "before

6336-522: The dish as "hreesi". Defense of Van (1915) The defense of Van ( Armenian : Վանի հերոսամարտ , romanized :  Vani herosamart ) and in Russian Van operation ( Russian : Ванская операция , romanized :  Vanskaya operatsia ) was the armed resistance of the Armenian population of Van and Russian army against the Ottoman Empire 's attempts to massacre

6435-462: The effects of deportation and prevent annihilation. Core actors of this resistance were religious and civic leaders, such as church committees, doctors and nurses, local Muslims, and influential Armenian dignitaries and foreign missionaries. Those established a self-help network, which supplied deportees in camps with basic needs, such as food, fuelwood, and financial support through money transfer. This network saved thousands of Armenians from death. At

6534-429: The fall of 1914. On 30 October 1914, after an exchange of fire during the pursuit of Goeben and Breslau , the Ottoman Empire entered World War I. The province of Van was positioned between Persia and the Caucasus, and the most accessible routes that linked Persia , Russia, Mesopotamia and Anatolia lay through this province. giving Van high strategic value as a consequence of its location. The first engagement of

6633-458: The given circumstances. Individuals, from the Muslim population, and officers as city authorities resisted orders of deportation and faced removal from their posts. Information established an important part of the resistance and was essential for survival. Smuggled letters of information about the developments in other camps, abuses of CUP officials on deportees and advice on how to survive in

6732-506: The hub of harisa making in Kashmir . In Zanzibar , the dish is called boko boko and may be cooked with lamb, beef, or chicken. This same dish is also served across Tanzania and Kenya. Hareesa, or harees, is a popular dish mainly in the Harari region. It is cooked with lamb or beef and served on Eid or special occasions such as the birth of a baby. Harees is a traditional Emirati dish made from wheat, meat (usually chicken or lamb), and

6831-411: The interdiction of lines of communication. Soon after, the Russian regulars followed them. According to Ussher, on 18 May, the group dispatched from Persia reached the city of Van. By 20 May, the main centers of the Van province were occupied by Russians. On 23 May 1915, a detachment of Russian soldiers occupied the town of Van, thus bringing eagerly awaited relief to the Armenians, who were besieged by

6930-415: The invasion of a neighboring country. In addition to these military activities, during the period of 1914–1915 American and German missionaries present in the area reported occurrences of massacres of the Armenian population. Such massacres intensified immediately prior to the uprising. According to one source, all of the 52 Armenian villages near Beyazit and Eleşkirt were raided, pillaged and destroyed by

7029-693: The killing of about 800 people—mostly old men, women and children—in the Salmas district (to the north-east of Lake Urmia) in early March. On 25 February 1915, the 3rd Army and the all Gendarmerie commands, including the Van Gendarmerie, received Directive 8682, titled "Increased Security Precautions". This directive noted increased dissident Armenian activity in Bitlis, Aleppo, Dortyol and Kayseri, and identified Russian and French influence and activities in these areas. The Operations Division directed that

7128-590: The knowledge of the genocide in international media and politics. Such information provoked international support systems such as the ABCFM, Armenian Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and the founding of the US Armenian relive committee, leading to fundraising and enacting international pressure. The majority of the Armenian population resented military resistance against the genocide and hoped instead for survival through displayed loyalty. Important actors of

7227-600: The loyalty of the Van Armenians. After their first attempt with the Armenian Congress, they wanted to see once again if they would agree to stage an uprising in Russian Armenia. Djevdet demanded that Armenians furnish 4,000 volunteers, according to conscription in the Ottoman Empire . The Armenians refused to do this. Clarence Ussher states that "it was clear that Djevdet's goals were to massacre

7326-571: The neutrality of foreign property was respected. Judges, police, and health officials were appointed. It soon became urgent to get a messenger out to inform the Russians of events. Several messengers, with messages sewn into their garments, were sent out, and twelve of them got through. On 28 April, Nikolai Yudenich ordered 2nd Transbaikal Cossack Brigade of General Trukhin and the Araratian volunteer brigade commanded by Sargis Mehrabyan (Vartan) to be dispatched from Yerevan towards Van. One of

7425-406: The northern passages. General Trokin received a dispatch just after five hours to leave the city and exit through Persia. This left the Armenian volunteers as the only defenders of the Armenian refugees. "The panic was indescribable. After a long resistance to Djevdet Bey, after the city's liberation, after an establishment of an Armenian governorship, all was blighted." Armenian civilian forces drew

7524-480: The province of Van around the north side of Lake Van to the town of Manzikert, intending a new offensive into Anatolia, toward Mush. The losses taken by the Ottoman 3rd Army during the preceding Enver winter offensive had created a salient in the Turkish southern flank of their Caucasus front, a salient that created an initial opportunity for Russian forces. However, this opportunity was short lived and six weeks later

7623-693: The province, as well as the districts of Çatak (Shatakh), Başkale (Bashkaleh) and Bahçesaray (Moks) in the southern part of the province. In an 1890 census, there were 79,998 Armenians living in the province. That same census showed the percentage Armenian population located in the city of Van to be 35%, and the district Armenian populations to be 64% in Ercis, 37% in Catak, 18% in Bashkale, and 48% in Bahcesaray. The 1912 local Patriarch statistic stated that

7722-484: The purpose of employing Armenians, providing them with a permit to move freely in the city and integrating them successfully into their new environment. This prevented their deportation. In the private sphere, resistance was present in the tiny moments of life. Family ties in the camps were attempts to create through their traditional functions a sense of normality. This social support system aimed to establish relative safety, cared for orphans, and provided health care under

7821-470: The same day, Arshak Vramian was arrested. A schoolmaster was also arrested in Shadakh in mid-April. There had been a local demonstration in his favor. Several prominent Armenians, led by Nikoghayos Poghos Mikaelian ( Ishkhan ), went to this town at the request of Djevdet. Nikoghayos Poghos Mikaelian and other prominent Armenians were stopped midway at Hirj and murdered on 17 April. Among the three leaders of

7920-399: The same day, Truhin's patrol and Nazarbekov's advance-guard came into contact between Van and Hoshap. General Yudenich received the keys to the city and citadel after his arrival. He confirmed the Armenian provisional government . Aram Manukian was appointed the governor of Van province. Armenakis Yekarian became the police chief. Fighting shifted farther west for the rest of the summer with

8019-452: The same time of Turks lynching Kurdish soldiers responsible for particularly harsh atrocities. Some of the rules for [the Armenian defenders of Van] were: 'Keep clean; do not drink; tell the truth; do not curse the religion of the enemy. During this time, the massacres, under the pretext of an arms search, continued. Later, Armenians attacked an Ottoman patrol, to Djevdet's anger. Alarmed, Armenians in Van requested Dr. Clarence Ussher ,

8118-520: The seventh century. In the anecdotal cookbook, the Umayyad Caliph, Mu'awiya, returns from a trip to Arabia after returning to his newly won Persian lands. In some versions of the story, Mu'awiya is met with some Yemenite Jews whom he asks to prepare the porrige he tasted abroad while in other versions, he approaches locals. This story should be taken with a grain of salt as the author penned the story three centuries after it supposedly occurred. At

8217-506: The tax collector. The disagreement turned to conflict and extended to the gendarmerie unit in Banat, reaching other centers from there. Violence in the countryside reached a peak on 19 April, where 2,500 males in Erciş killed in a single day. On 17 April, Djevdet ordered his battalions to annihilate Shatakh. The ill-disciplined force instead attacked Armenian villages located nearer to Van. On

8316-467: The time taken for preparation is part of its cherished value. Harisa is known for helping the Armenians of Musa Ler (in modern-day Turkey) to survive during the resistance of 1915 . In Egyptian cuisine , " freekeh ", unripened, crushed durum wheat, was used to cook harisa , giving the resulting ferik a unique green hue. The origin of the variation could be linked to the Sephardic migration of

8415-456: The town. At the same time, the advance guard of the Russian forces, which pushed the 1st and 3rd Ottoman Cavalry Brigades from the city of Manzikert since 11 May, reached the northern area of the province and extended up to the shores of Lake Van, and the advance guard of Russian forces already in the town pushed the Ottoman forces with a continued press to the south of city. These retreating Ottoman forces experienced logistical shortages caused by

8514-506: The twelve dispatched Armenian messengers reached Persia. An Armenian volunteer unit commanded by Andranik Ozanian , and a division commanded by Chernoroyal dispatched from Persia, were also sent on 8 May. On 30 April, the number of refugees in the city totaled 15,000, the greater part of the refugees those fleeing from the countryside as they began to pour into city. The Armenians in the city at this time reached 30,000 residents, and 15,000 refugees in an area of roughly one square kilometer of

8613-533: The use of cardamom pods in Saudi Arabia , or a garnish with parsley. Before the Armenian genocide where Armenians were spread through a larger area they also had different vatiations of Harisa. The wheat used in Armenian harissa is typically shelled (pelted) wheat, though in Adana , harissa was made with կորկոտ ( korkot ; ground, par-boiled shelled wheat). Harissa can be made with lamb, beef, or chicken. Harees

8712-466: The very least, harisa was prevalent as a Levantine dish. Harees is documented in Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq 's 10th-century cookbook Kitab Al Tabikh ., as well as in al-Baghdadi's 13th-century cookbook Kitab Al Tabikh and ibn Razin al-Tujibi's 13th-century Andalusian cookbook Kitab Fadalat al-khiwan fi tayyibat al-ta'am w'al-alwan . Harees is also the origin of haleem , and cholent . The wheat

8811-407: The war began, indicators of potentially violent intent accumulated, as the authorities found bombs and weapons hidden in Armenian homes". On the other hand, Nogales witnessed Ottoman army units photographing their own weapons and merely claiming that they had been found in Armenian houses and churches. As early as 5 November 1914, a major attack by the Russians on the 3rd Army 's defensive lines in

8910-492: Was a disastrous defeat for Enver Pasha. For their role in this success, the Armenian volunteers received credit as natives of the region, well adjusted to the climate, familiar with every road and mountain path, and motivated to wage fierce and resolute combat. The Armenian volunteers were small, mobile units, well adapted to semi- guerrilla warfare . They worked efficiently as scouts, though they also took active roles in many conventional engagements. Armenian volunteers challenged

9009-693: Was assembled from Mesopotamia under orders to control the southern part, near Lake Van. The 1st Expeditory Force held the front to the south of Lake Van. One battalion, dubbed "the butcher battalion ( Turkish : kasab taburu )" numbered some 5,000 men. The Armenian population in the city had taken measures as well. The city management had established a unified authority ("The Military Defense Authority") consisting of Armenak Ekarian, Aram Manukian, Kaytsak Arakel, Bulgaratsi Gregory, Gabriel Semerjian, Hrant Galikian and Panos Terlemezian. Support services were set up and distribution of food, medical aid, and arms shop (an established manufacture of gunpowder and arms that

9108-522: Was capable of casting two guns), were organized. The Women's Union was founded at this time, mainly engaged in manufacturing clothing for combatants. In the face of imminent danger, representatives of various Armenian political parties (Ramkavar, Dashnaks) rallied together. The Van defenders numbered no more than 1500 combatants, who had only 505 rifles and 750 Mauser pistols and a small supply of ammunition. The Military Defense Authority issued orders to use ammunition with extra caution. The Aykesdan neighborhood

9207-491: Was divided into 7 sectors of defense, with 79 distinct positions. Researcher Thomas De Waal states that "it has been called both a rebellion and a heroic act of resistance by Armenians against a government that intended to kill them" and "it had elements of both". The most important change during the defense of Van was the transfer of Governor Hasan Tahsin Pasha to Erzurum and his replacement with Djevdet Bey . Djevdet Bey

9306-441: Was largely ineffectual, they had superiority in men and arms. On 25 April, the first small group of refugees from the country side arrived to the city through the road to Shushantz which was kept open by the Armenian civilian forces. The Armenian defenders of Van, under the leadership of Aram Manukian, established a local provisional government dealing with defense, provisions, administration, and foreign relations, to ensure that

9405-507: Was not part of the operations in Van. However, as part of this Russian offensive, the Ottoman 1st Expeditionary Force and the Van Cavalry Brigade were pushed back from their initial positions by Russian soldiers and Armenian voluenteers advancing toward the city of Van. On 12 May, the town of Ardjish at the north of province of Van was relieved. Djevdet sent one cannon and two hundred men from the city of Van to face this group at

9504-438: Was offering a meal of love and charity to the poor. There weren't enough sheep to feed the crowds so wheat was added to the cooking pots. They noticed that the wheat was sticking to the bottom of the cauldrons. Saint Gregory advised, " Harekh! Stir it!" Thus, the name of the dish, harissa , came from the saint's own words. Harissa has been offered as a charity meal ever since. The dish is traditionally served on Easter day . It

9603-453: Was only made by the wealthy during Ramadan and Eid , for the duration of a three- to seven-day wedding. It was, however, customary for the Harees dishes to be shared with poorer neighbours on such occasions. It is similar to kashkeg , a kind of homogeneous porridge made of previously stewed and boned chicken or lamb and coarsely ground soaked wheat (typically shelled wheat). Harees

9702-431: Was scrapped. Due to Turkish losses suffered at the disastrous battle of Sarikamish, the 1st Expeditionary Force found itself assigned to the 3rd Army . On 11 January 1915 the 5th Expeditionary Force was ordered north to Erzurum and eleven days later the 1st Expeditionary Force was ordered there as well. The Van Gendarmerie Regiment (police force) under the command of Staff Major Köprülü Kâzım Bey (Özalp), who would become

9801-524: Was the brother-in-law of Enver Pasha, and was accompanied by Rafael de Nogales Méndez . De Nogales was assigned with the permission of the 3rd Army 's commanding German officer to oversee the Ottoman Gendarmerie units under the new governor. The Armenian leaders were Aram Manukian , the regional party leader of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), Armenak Yekarian from the ranks of Armenakans , Nikoghayos Poghos Mikaelian (Ishkhan),

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