Invasion of Tabriz, World War I

Invasion of Tabriz during world war I is the occupation and re-occupation of city of Tabriz in Iranian Azerbaijan by Ottoman Empire forces and forces of Russian Empire during World War I.

History

Before the WWI Tabriz was already under invasion of Russian forces since Russian Invasion of Tabriz, 1911. In June 31, 1914 three days after the war Iranian government declared neutrality. Despite this, once in autumn Russians started their campaign, they sent additional forces to northwestern Iran where they enforced their existing 10'000 forces with additional 60'000 forces.


In January 2, 1915, once two sides were fighting in Battle of Sarikamish in Caucasus, Ottoman forces started their campaign inside Iran and forced Russian forces to retreat to Jolfa, Iran (city). during this battle Ottoman forces succeed to invade Tabriz.
A group of Ottoman forces around Tabriz, 1917.

With implementation of fresh forces, Russians defeated Ottoman forces in south of Jolfa and took the control of Tabriz. Russians proceed their campaign toward west and invaded Urmia and went up to Van Lake. In the same time Russians entered central Iran and invaded Qazvin, Karaj, and Tehran. With revolution of 1917 in Russia their forces lost their structure in front lines and started to retreat from Iran. With the power vacuum in the newly retreated lands Ottoman forces quickly take action and invaded north western Iran and city of Tabriz.[1] They stayed in Tabriz up until August 23, 1918 when Ottoman abolished.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Clifford Edmund Bosworth (1 January 2007). Historic Cities of the Islamic World. BRILL. ISBN 90-04-15388-8.
  2. ↑ Edward J. Erickson (12 March 2007). Ottoman Army Effectiveness in World War I: A Comparative Study. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-98456-4.
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