How a decisive three-day stand in 1918 saved the nascent First Republic of Armenia
In the final stages of the First World War, the Ottoman Empire launched a three-pronged invasion of Eastern Armenia. At the defile of Bash Abaran, a small force of Armenian riflemen faced a direct assault on Yerevan. Their unexpected victory helped secure the survival of a new, fragile nation.
The Battle of Bash Abaran occurred in 1918 as a critical component of the Caucasus Campaign during the First World War. As Ottoman forces pushed aggressively toward Yerevan, the conflict became a desperate struggle for Armenian sovereignty. This engagement was one of three pivotal victories, alongside those at Sardarabad and Karakilisa, that collectively halted the Ottoman advance and provided the necessary conditions for the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia.
The confrontation began on 21 May 1918, when Turkish troops initiated their offensive. One specific prong of this multi-directional attack involved the 3rd Regiment of the 11th Caucasian Division, which descended from Hamamlu. They were met at the defile of Bash Abaran—located roughly a three-hour march from Yerevan—by an Armenian force commanded by Movses Silikyan, consisting of approximately 1,000 riflemen. The broader Armenian defense was under the leadership of Drastamat Kanayan.
The fighting at the defile was intense, lasting for three days. On 25 May, the Armenian forces shifted from defense to offense, launching a successful counter-attack against the Ottoman troops. This maneuver forced the Turkish units to retreat north, eventually returning to Hamamlu by 29 May. While the First Republic of Armenia would ultimately be short-lived, the success at Bash Abaran remains a defining moment in the history of the region, demonstrating how a determined local defense could disrupt a larger imperial military campaign during the chaotic final year of the Great War.
Source: Battle of Abaran
