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- October 16, 202612°
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
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- October 16, 202612°
Azerbaijan marks the 108th anniversary of Baku’s liberation
Azerbaijan is commemorating the 108th anniversary of the Caucasian Islamic Army’s liberation of Baku on September 15, 1918. The army, made up of Ottoman soldiers and the Azerbaijani corps, captured the city after 30 hours of fighting.
Azerbaijan commemorates Baku’s liberation
Azerbaijan is commemorating the Caucasian Islamic Army, which liberated Baku on September 15, 1918, and its commander, Nuri Pasha (Killigil), with respect and gratitude. The army, formed by Turkish soldiers who went from Anatolia to help Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani corps, captured the city after 30 hours of fighting.
Azerbaijan, which declared its independence on May 28, 1918, signed its first agreement with the Ottoman Empire in Batumi on June 4, 1918. The agreement provided for the establishment of friendly relations between the two countries in the political, legal, commercial and military fields.
A request for assistance from the Ottoman Empire
Invoking Article 4 of the agreement, Azerbaijan requested support from the Ottoman government against the occupation by British forces and Armenian and Bolshevik militias. After the request was accepted, Ottoman Minister of War Enver Pasha tasked his brother, Nuri Pasha, with forming an army to assist Azerbaijan.
Nuri Pasha formed the Caucasian Islamic Army with the participation of the 106th and 107th Infantry Regiments and the 56th Artillery Regiment, which were brought from the Palestine Front, and set out for Azerbaijan. With a 1,000-man reinforcement provided by the Azerbaijani corps, the army’s strength reached 12,000.
The Caucasian Islamic Army reaches Baku
As the army advanced toward Baku, it cleared Göyçay, Salyan, Aghsu and Kurdamir of opposing forces. Baku was liberated on September 15, 1918, after 30 hours of fierce fighting.
Ottoman soldiers were enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Baku, and a parade was held in the city. However, the Caucasian Islamic Army’s presence in Baku did not last long.
Withdrawal after the Armistice of Mudros
After the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I, the Armistice of Mudros was signed on October 30, 1918. Under the armistice, the Caucasian Islamic Army was forced to withdraw to the prewar borders and left Baku on November 16.
The army remained in Azerbaijan for only two months. The Caucasian Islamic Army played an important role in securing the country’s territorial integrity and making Baku its capital.
The Caucasian Islamic Army lost 1,130 soldiers in the struggle to liberate Baku. The graves of soldiers from the Caucasian Islamic Army are located in Azerbaijan’s Baku, Shaki, Shamakhi, Göyçay, Kurdamir, Neftchala, Hajigabul and Guba regions.
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