The Iğdır Civil War and Iğdır's Inclusion within the Borders of the Grand National Assembly

Dear Readers:

Today (November 14, 2025) marks the 105th anniversary of Iğdır's inclusion within the borders of the Grand National Assembly (BMM). On such a special day, I find it useful to revisit the events that took place almost a century ago. However, I would like to begin my article by correcting an error:

IĞDIR WAS EVACUATED ON NOVEMBER 12, NOT NOVEMBER 14

Who, with what logic, and why, designated November 14 as the "Iğdır Liberation Day" which has been celebrated on November 12 for years? Apparently, a hidden hand in Iğdır is very determined to distort Iğdır's history and is never idle.

Commander of the Eastern Front, Kâzım Karabekir Pasha, explains the evacuation of Iğdır by the Armenians in his work "İstiklal Harbimiz" (Our War of Independence) with the following sentence:

"The Armenians also evacuated Iğdır on November 12 (Teşrinisani) and withdrew to the north (şimal) of the Aras." (Source: İstiklal Harbimiz, Türkiye Yayınları, 1960, Page 902)

Therefore, "Liberation Day" should be celebrated on November 12 again.

***

Our Iğdır is an unfortunate place. The true heroes of the Iğdır Civil War have always been overlooked, while unknown names have been brought to the forefront, declared heroes, and awarded medals. Unfortunately, it is saddening to see that this habit continues with stubborn persistence. Let's briefly look at what happened in Iğdır 105 years ago:

POLITICAL CHRONOLOGY OF THE IĞDIR (Surmalu Uyezd) REGION

1. Semi-Independent Yerevan (Revan) Khanate (1747-1828)
   
   
   
   1. Paid tribute to the Zend Shiite Kurdish State between 1751-1794.
   
   
   2. Paid tribute to the Qajar Shiite Turkic State between 1794-1828.
   
   
   
   


2. Russian Tsarist Administration (1828-1917) / Surmalu Uyezd (District) affiliated with Yerevan Governorate


3. Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (April 22, 1918 - May 28, 1918)


4. Republic of Armenia (May 28, 1918 - until the General Elections of June 21/July 23, 1919)


5. CIVIL WAR (Kaça-Kaç): August 1, 1919 - November 14, 1920


6. Grand National Assembly (November 14, 1920 - October 29, 1923)


7. Republic of Turkey (October 29, 1923)

While World War I (1914-1918) was ongoing, the Russian Bolshevik Revolution took place in October 1917. Lenin's order was clear: "This is an imperialist war of partition. We are unconditionally withdrawing soldiers from the fronts."

The Tsarist Russian army had defeated the Ottoman army and advanced as far as Sivas. In 1915, the Ottoman Government forced the Armenians within its borders to relocate, on the grounds that they were collaborating or would collaborate with the enemy (Russians), and the Anatolian geography was cleared of its Armenian population. (The sufferings experienced during this relocation are a separate topic for an article.)

As the Russian army retreated, it left its weapons and ammunition to the Armenian militias who had fought alongside them. Suddenly, in Eastern Anatolia, the Ottoman army and Armenian militia forces found themselves face to face.

The three important peoples of the South Caucasus; Georgians, Armenians, and Azerbaijanis, acted together to establish the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic on April 22, 1918. This Republic was short-lived. The three peoples, united in a federative state structure, quickly reached an agreement among themselves regarding borders.

Once the borders were secured, Georgia withdrew from the Federal Republic on May 26, 1918, and declared its independence. Following this, Azerbaijan and Armenia also declared their independence two days later, on May 28, 1918.

REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND THE SURMALU REGION

(May 28, 1918 - November 14, 1920)

A new era began in the Surmalu Region (within the borders of today's Iğdır province). I would like to inform my readers about the peoples living in the Surmalu Region on May 28, 1918:

When the Russian army and Russian civilians withdrew from the Surmalu region with the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, a population consisting of four different ethnic and religious groups remained.

1. Muslim Sunni Kurds


2. Yazidi Kurds


3. Azerbaijanis


4. Armenians

ARMENIANS: In the center of Iğdır (excluding a part of Iğdırmava and Sultanabat), Alkamerli, Halfeli, Hoşhaber, Hakveyis, Özdemir, Pulur, Yüzbaşılar, Kadıkışlak, Tecirli, Evci villages; in Mürşitali, Alican, Taşburun villages of Karakoyun district, and Yukarı Topraklı village of Aralık district;

AZERBAIJANIS: In a part of Iğdırmava and Sultanabat neighborhoods in the center of Iğdır, and in Küllük, Çalpala, Bayraktutan, Aşağı and Yukarı Çarıkçılar, Yaycı, Çavuşbahçe, Kasımcan, Kazancı, Kuzugüden, Erhacılar, Melekli, Taşlıca, Sıçanlı, Kundo, Alıköçek, Oba, Sarıçoban; in Karakoyunlu, Karakoyun district center, Bayatdoğanşalı, Zülfikar, Cennetabat, Gökçeli, Kacardoğanşalı, Koçkıran and Şireci villages; in Aralık, Aralık district center, Aşağı Çiftlik, Emince, Ortaköy, Tazeköy, Yukarı Çiftlik and Hasanhan villages;

SUNNI KURDISH TRIBES: In Iğdır; in Asma, Çilli, Gülpınar, Mezra, Örüşmüş, Suveren villages; in Bulakbaşı village of Karakoyun district; in Adetli, Aratan, Babacan, Gödekli, Hacıağa, Karahacılı, Kıraçbağı, Kulukent, Ramazankent, Tarlabaşı, Yenidoğan, Çamurlular, Aşağı Topraklı villages of Aralık district;

YAZIDI KURDS: Resided in Karakuyu, Bendemurat, Karaçomak, Güngörmez, Harmandöven, Nişankaya villages.

There were almost no Armenians in Tuzluca. Yazidis lived in Aslanlı, Sinek villages, and Kurdish tribes and Azerbaijanis lived in other villages.

**

As can be clearly seen from Mecit Hun's memoirs, four peoples lived intertwined during that period.

Until this date, the Muslim population in the Surmalu region had not yet faced any oppression or massacre. Furthermore, the Armenians in Iğdır were not affected by the 1915 Armenian Relocation decision and the subsequent negative events in the Ottoman Empire, as they were under Tsarist Russian administration.

Everything changed with the election held in the Republic of Armenia between June 21 and July 23, 1919. The Muslim population (Sunni Kurds and Azerbaijanis), largely under the influence and persuasion of Kazım Karabekir Pasha, protested the election and did not vote. The Armenian Government perceived this situation as a blow to the legitimacy of the Republic of Armenia. It decided to cleanse the Surmalu region of its Muslim population.

The four ancient peoples of the Surmalu Region were divided into two: Armenians and Yazidi Kurds on one side, and Sunni Kurds and Azerbaijanis on the other. A brutal civil war began between the two sides.

Until this date, contrary to what some claim, there was no militia force, committee, or similar military or civilian organization in Iğdır. The Surmalu region was under the influence of the South-Western Caucasian Government and the Aras-Turkish Republics, established with centers in Kars and Nakhchivan. The Surmalu region sent representatives or delegates to both Republics, but these were of no significance.

From August 1919 onwards, Armenian forces launched a general attack against the Muslim population. The Muslim Kurdish and Azerbaijani populations, whose villages were located in the plain, were targeted.

The first target was the village of Kucak (today within the borders of Ağrı Province), inhabited by Kurds, established on the border between the Ottoman Empire and Tsarist Russia but affiliated with Tsarist Russia. The entire population of the village (more than 250 people) was massacred by having their throats cut. The Armenian Dashnak forces, without losing time, turned to Oba, Küllük, Hakmehmet, and other Azerbaijani villages, continuing the genocide.

When Bağır Aras and his family were forced to take refuge in Iranian Azerbaijan due to the Kaça-Kaç, the house they left behind became the headquarters of the Armenian Komitacis (1919). This house belonging to Bağır Aras in the picture above survived until the 2000s. I was born in this house in 1958 as the fifth child of Mecit Hun, who lived there as a tenant in the 1950s.

***

Unable to withstand the attack of the Armenian forces, some branches of the Redkan (Redkî) tribe, whose villages were located in the plain (the old Çamurlu village and Alıkızıl/Aşağı Topraklı, located on the banks of the Karasu River, on the plain side), and the 14 Brukan (Brukî) villages, located where today's Kazım Karabekir Agricultural Enterprise is, could not defend themselves and found refuge in Muş, Eleşkirt, and Van within the borders of the Ottoman Empire.

A large part of the Azerbaijani population set out on desperate roads to take refuge in Iranian Azerbaijan. The sufferings experienced during this time are known as "Kaça-Kaç / Kırxın." Some Azerbaijanis also took refuge in Melekli, the largest Azerbaijani village in the plain. In a short time, the population in Melekli village exceeded 3000. Armenian forces besieged Melekli.

While all this was happening, the tribes whose villages were located on the kıre (rocky slope of Mount Ararat) side of the Karasu River formed a militia force with their own means. The Karasu River served as a natural barrier against the attack of Armenian militias.

HEROIC RESISTANCE AGAINST DRO IN THE EAST OF KARASU RIVER

As seen in this picture, the Kurdish population living in the villages east of the Karasu River, starting from Bulakbaşı village and extending to Yukarı Topraklı (Alıkızıl), were closest to Taşburun, where the Armenian Dashnak militias were strongest.

*

East of the Karasu River, which originates from Bulakbaşı village, were the villages of Bulakbaşı, Aktaş, Yazlık, İslamköy (Kafirköy), Hıdırlı, Adetli, Kolukent, Karahacılı, and Yukarı Topraklı (Alıkızıl). These villages were protected by the Karasu River against Armenian attacks from the plain, i.e., Taşburun, and had their backs against the rocky slope (Kıre) of Mount Ararat.

The Azerbaijanis in Yukarı Topraklı (Alıkızıl) village had migrated, and only the Kurds belonging to the Redkan (Redkî) tribe remained. The Gelturan (Gelturî), Gêloî, Gıskan (Giskî), and Redkan (Redkî) tribes lived east of the Karasu River. The Redkanlıs in Kırçiçeği village had also crossed the Karasu and taken refuge in Adetli village.

THE BIRTH OF THE VOLUNTEER KURDISH MILITIA FORCE

In this environment, tribal leaders came together and formed volunteer militia forces.

• Ali Mirze Bey from the Gıskan (Giskî) tribe


• Ahmed Şemo Ağa from the Geloylu (Gêloî) tribe


• Hacı Tahir Ağa from the Redkan (Redkî) tribe


• Nadir (Nado) Ağa from the Gelturan (Gelturî) tribe

Organizational chart of the Kurds east of the Karasu River under the command of Ali Mirze Bey

(From left to right) Ali Mirze Bey (Yiğit), Ahmed Şemo (Hun), Nado Ağa (Taşdemir) and Hacı Tahir Ağa (Muçu)

*

The most important center of the Armenian forces was Taşburun. Therefore, the most difficult task fell to Ali Mirze Bey.

In Central Iğdır, there was a Zilan militia force centered in Orgof (Suveren), under the command of Kerem and Fettah Beys (Güneş). In Western Iğdır, there was a Kurdish (Şemkan Tribe and Yüceler) and Azerbaijani militia force centered in Pernavut, under the command of Şamil Bey (Ayrım).

From left to right: Şamil Bey (Ayrım) and Kerem Bey (Güneş)

In August 1919, there was no other armed force apart from the militia forces mentioned above. The Civil War continued at full speed. The Armenian Dashnak forces had a definite superiority.

Melekli village was under siege. Ali Ekber Bey (Tufan) took action to get help from the Ottoman State.

Ali Ekber Bey (Tufan)

In the November 17, 1954 issue of Pamukova Newspaper, published by Mecit Hun, Hacı Ali Ekber Tufan published his memoirs in his own words:

Mecit Hun and his newspaper PAMUKOVA (1954/55)

"I will not talk about the efforts we made and the humble services I rendered in awakening national sentiment and inclining the Islamic-Turkic world towards unity after the tension and struggle between Turks and Armenians in 1905. However, I deem it useful to mention some memories of the liberation.

In 1334 (1918), our army withdrew from the Caucasus and Iran, and Division Commander Ali Kemal Bey asked Major Mehmet Bey for 4 people to organize the people.

With Mehmet Bey's approval, Fettah Güneş, son of Hamit Bey, Tayfur, son of Ali Bey (Tayfur Kederli, son of Eli Ağa from the Burukan Tribe. Mücahit), Ağabey from Melekli village, and I were assigned. It was decided to send a delegation to Yakup Şefki Pasha in Kars to bring officers to organize the people in an orderly manner with ammunition and rifles.

The delegation consisted of the late Ali Eşref (Eleşref) Bey (Güneş) and Rıza Bey from Yerevan. Since Yakup Şefki Pasha could not provide assistance due to the situation at the time, the delegation returned empty-handed, and the people, whose morale was broken, had to leave Iğdır and go to Iran. The people of Çobankereli and Yerevan settled in Khoy; the people of Saraşlı, Gödekli, and Ahuralı settled in Karaköse and Erzurum. Of course, we, who were weak, could not succeed in establishing the organization.

Ali Eşref (Güneş) Bey (Eleşref Beg / Eleşref Bey) (Note: Ali Eşref Bey is the son of Guli Cafer Ağa)

Meanwhile, I went to Şeril with my family, and my relatives Esat, Kurban, Medet, and Celil went to Doğubayazıt. After a while, they came and brought us to Doğubayazıt via Iran.

In the meantime, the Armenians began to oppress and prepare for massacres against Muslims in Iğdır and its vicinity, and they had besieged Melekli, the most important refuge for Turks, from the direction of Kire (Mount Ararat). At that time, I went to Division Commander Cavit Bey with Merchant Abbas from Söğütlü Neighborhood, who was a refugee in Bayazıt, and explained the situation. After a few days of waiting, they officially informed us that they could not do anything for us, but that it would be beneficial to meet with the tribal leaders. Immediately, we applied to Şevket Bey, who later became the Deputy of Bayezid. Şevket Bey called Sheikh İbrahim Bey, Abdülvahap Bey, and Zorzade İzzet Efendi, and after a short consultation, they decided to save Melekli by participating himself. However, since this required Şevket Bey's resignation, İbrahim Ağa, known as Bro Hesso Telli, was sent in his place.

Deputy of Bayazıt Province Şevket Bey (Note: In 1934, his family surname became BAYAZIT)

This tribal force inflicted heavy casualties on the Armenians, rescued nearly 3000 Turks, and brought them to Erhacı. At that time, the Armenians had also started massacres. Those who escaped the sword and oppression took refuge in Erhacı.

In Kerimbeyli, an officer named Cengiz Bey was establishing an organization, and at the same time, soldiers were being sent to the Bulakbaşı position. This new organization also spread to Erhacı, and soldiers were sent to gather the scattered forces there in an organized manner. Hacı Xanlar Bey, Şefi Öcal, Hasan, son of Melekli Mirza Memet, and Hanife, son of Ali Hüseyin, made great efforts in the organization in Erhacı. They were also collecting provisions. A few days later, the accumulation in Erhacı attacked Iğdır. Although the Armenians, who initially thought this community was soldiers, fled, they later learned the situation and returned to Iğdır. Thereupon, the people of Erhacı had to retreat to Orgof. From there, they came to Bayazıt and crossed into Iran. Thus, due to both Armenian atrocities and lack of provisions, all the people of Iğdır had withdrawn to Iran. We mostly settled in Senger, Tazeköy, and Kişmiş Tepe near Khoy. After spending the winter there, we returned to Bayezid. At this time, the Army began preparations for the occupation of Iğdır, and Gündeli Süleyman came to Bayazıt with a few soldiers, accompanied by Melekli Cevat Han, Yusuf, son of Abdullah, and Feyzullah, son of Salman.

My brother Eset, Hüseyin, son of Bahçeli, and Haşim, son of Abbas, were also volunteers in the military unit marching on Iğdır. We could not take Iğdır the first time. The second time, with the participation of the Tribal Regiments (Hamidiye Regiments), Iğdır was occupied on November 12, 1920."

***

As Hacı Ali Ekber Tufan stated in his memoirs, Bıro Heski Telli (İbrahim Ağa), serving under the Hamidiye Regiment commanded by İbrahim Bey in Bayazıt, went to the aid of the people of Melekli, broke the siege, brought approximately 3000 Azerbaijani people to the Erhacı plain, and later helped them cross into Iranian Azerbaijan.

Bıro Heski Telli (İbrahim Ağa) (In 1934, his family surname became ÇOKTİN)

When the Armenian forces were repelled from the Kars and Ardahan region, the military forces affiliated with the Grand National Assembly, the Hamidiye Regiments, and the local militia forces of Iğdır besieged Iğdır in cooperation.

LETTER WRITTEN BY KURDISH TRIBAL LEADERS

The Republic of Armenia was established on May 28, 1918. Elections were held in the Republic of Armenia in June 1919. The Muslim population (Azerbaijanis and Kurds) boycotted the elections. Thereupon, Armenian statesmen and notables sent a letter to the Kurdish notables living in the region, asking them to support the Republic of Armenia. Because the real interlocutors and organized forces they faced were Ali Mirze Bey, Hamit Bey, and the leaders of the Hamidiye Regiments in Bayazıt who supported these local militia forces.

Armenian Baron Khachatur Agha also sent a letter to Kurdish leaders in August 1919.

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Khachatur Karchikian (Baron Khachatur Agha)

The Kurdish notables replied to Baron Khachatur Agha with the following letter:

"Baron Khachatur Agha, I received your letter. Even when Armenians lived a very happy life in the bosom of Islam (ağuş-ı İslâmiyette), they did not refrain from committing all kinds of evil, hidden (hafi) and open (celi), for the sake of their original intentions (makasıd-ı asliyyeleri), and in this war, they joined the Russian armies by fleeing armed (müsellâhan) from the front. You cannot deny this. Therefore (Binaenaleyh), there is no possibility of reconciliation between the Islamic-Kurdish nation and the Armenians, whose betrayals are complete and whose intentions (gaye-i maksadları) are clearly (zahire) understood.

And for five years (1914-1919), the Kurdish nation cannot come together with the Armenians, who, whenever they found an opportunity to destroy Islam, massacred the Muslim population (nüfus-ı İslâmiyeyi) with axes and bayonets in a manner contrary to the principles of humanity (şiar-ı insaniyete) and considered it permissible to assault Ottoman women (muhadderat-ı Osmaniyye). The Kurdish nation, which is ten times superior (faik) to the Armenians, cannot and it is impossible for it to come under Armenian protection. Yes; we are also not in favor of bloodshed. However, we will prevent your determination and actions (azim ve harekâtınızı) to regulate (tensiki) the Muslim population (nüfus-ı İslâmiyenin), which is your entire hope (cümle-i âmaliniz), with all our might. Armenians cannot gain a majority (ihraz-ı ekseriyet) by massacring the Muslim population so savagely. Thus, you cannot govern (icra-yı hükümet) at all. Our peaceful (hal-i sükünetle) coexistence with you depends on the following conditions (şerait-i âtiyeye).

1. Until peace is established (sulhün takarrününe), Armenians must cross to the other side of the Aras River.


2. They must evacuate the Iğdır region and leave it to the Kurdish nation.


3. No Armenian will cross the river until the end of peace (netice-i sulha). Local Armenians who wish to remain in this region will obey our organization and command.


4. Armenians will absolutely (kat’iyyen) not be authorized (selahiyetli) to carry weapons among us. And Armenian soldiers will not be sent to this region until the end of peace.


5. The rights, lives, and property of our Muslim brothers remaining on the other side of the Aras River, that is, among the Armenians, will be preserved (mahfuz kalacaktır).


6. If these conditions (şerait) are accepted and implemented, the parties (tarafeyn) will not attack or aggress and will respect peace (sulhe intizar eyleyecektir). So, Khachatur Agha! Our point of view (nokta-i nazarımız) and our conditions (şeraitimiz) consist of six articles. If accepted, the fire of war (naire-i harp) will be extinguished (itfa olunacak); otherwise, it will spread (tevessü ederek), and the Muslim nation will resort (tevessül) to ways to escape your yoke of slavery (ribka-i esaretiniz) and will implore (tazarru) Allah for help (nusret). On this occasion, I shake your hands in return, esteemed Khachatur Agha.

From the Tribal Chiefs (Aşiret Rüesasından)

Also: Hamit Bey

Also: Ali Merze Bey

Also: Ahmet Haso Ağa

Also: Yusuf Ağa

(Source: Kâzım Karabekir Pasha, İstiklâl Harbimiz, first volume, page 378)

***

Now I would like to introduce my readers to the tribal chiefs whose signatures are under the letter:

Hamit (Güneş) Bey: Father of the brothers Fettah, Kerem, Abdurrezak, and Naci Bey.

Kerem Bey's father Hamit Bey (Güneş)

Ahmet Haso (Konyar) Ağa: Father of the late İsa Konyar from the Doğubayazıt region and grandfather of the late Hüsrev (Xosrov) Bey.

Yusuf (Çekim) Ağa: Leader of the Mala Resê Çelê tribe and brother of Gur Hesso.

Ali Mirze (Yiğit) Bey: Leader of the Celali tribe under Russian rule. Geloylu Ahmed Şemo, Gelturanlı Nado Ağa, and Redkanlı Hacı Tahir (Muçu) led the civil war under Ali Mirze Bey's leadership.

As this letter also shows, Ali Mirze Bey and his friends, as stated in article 5, held themselves responsible for the safety of Azerbaijanis and Kurds on the other side of the Aras River. Ali Mirze Bey and Hamit Bey from the Surmalu Region declared their reaction against the Armenian massacres and genocides that began in August 1919.

Two important Hamidiye Regiment Commanders who fought the biggest struggle against Armenian Komitacis and Russians in Eastern Anatolia: (From left to right) Haydaran Tribe Hamidiye Regiment Commander Kör Hüseyin Pasha (seated) and Sipkan Tribe Hamidiye Regiment Commander Abdulmecit Bey (Note: In 1934, Kör Hüseyin Pasha's family surname became SÜPHANDAĞ and Abdulmecit Bey's family surname became ÖZTÜRK)

OCTOBER 1920

From this point on, I would like to quote from Mecit Hun's own column in the November 12, 1954 issue of PAMUKOVA newspaper, which he owned:

"After the Armenians were completely repelled from the old border (Kars and Ardahan) and pushed into the Iğdır plain and partly beyond the Aras River, the organizing spirit dominated the entire Aras valley. The Hamidiye Regiments in Karaköse (Bayezid Province) also began to march on Iğdır.

Kurdish Hamidiye Regiments

***

In October 1920, the situation was as follows:

Karakale-Küllük line: honorary Ayrım units under the command of Şamil Bey (Ayrım), son of Hasanali Bey;

Karakale-Tuzluca line: Hamidiye regiment under the command of Resul Bey, son of Eyüp Pasha;

Image: Hamidiye Regiment Commander Resul Bey, son of Eyüp Pasha (Note: Eyüp Pasha is the son of Guli Cafer Ağa)

Küllük-Iğdır line: a cavalry company and 4 cannons under the command of Division Commander Abdulkerim Bey;

Orgof-Erhacı-Halfeli line: honorary Zilan unit under the command of Kerem Bey (Güneş), son of Hamit Bey;

Kültepe-Yarmalar line: Celali Hamidiye Regiment under the command of Sheikh Abdülkadir (Kotan);

Hamidiye Regiment Commander Sheikh Abdülkadir (Kotan)

Karakoyun-Taşburun line: Celali Hamidiye Regiment under the command of İsa Bey (Konyar), son of Ahmet Bey;

Hamidiye Regiment Commander İsa Bey (Konyar)

Karakoyun-Taşburun line: Celali Hamidiye Regiment under the command of İbrahim Ağa (Bıro Heski Telli);

Taşburun-Hasanhan line: honorary Celali (Geloylu, Gıskanlı, Gelturanlı, Redkanlı and others) units under the command of Ali Mirza Bey (Yiğit);

The local forces on the Iğdır-Taşburun line were reinforced by military units under the command of 17th Regiment Commander Firuz Bey, stationed on the Karakoyun hills, and the Saraçlı Hamidiye Regiment under the command of Veli Bey from Gilesor,

İsrafil Bey from Gerger (Retired Chief Physician İsrafil Gökçe) and Hüseyin Bey.

Division Commander Cavit Pasha's headquarters were in Orgof (Suveren). The military and local forces, having taken their positions in an orderly manner, waited for the liberation of Kars for a while. However, minor clashes were occurring. The Armenians, realizing that they could not resist the forces of the National Struggle, crossed the Aras and defended Iğdır with a small force. Finally, after a 7-day armistice signed on November 5, the Liberation forces, marching on Iğdır from three directions, occupied this corner of the homeland. Since there were no Armenian military forces in the town, there was no fighting, and thus Iğdır was annexed to the homeland today 34 years ago."

Mecit Hun also included the following detail in the DİL newspaper (Year: 1 Issue: 39) which he published in 1952:

Front and back of the single-page DİL Newspaper dated November 12, 1952, and the newspaper owner Mecit Hun (Note: In those years, Iğdır Liberation Day was celebrated on November 12.)

***

The 1000-strong volunteer units of Ali Mirze Bey, along with the forces of Mehmet Bayazıt and Sheikh Abdülkadir, also launched an attack between Hasanhan and Yarmalar. A decisive and final struggle against the Armenians had begun along the entire front. Some of the Hamidiye Regiments had also joined the national forces on the Kars and Tuzluca fronts. Kör Hüseyin Pasha's Hamidiye Regiment, uniting with the forces of Mustafa Bey from Karaköse, attacked in the direction of Kars, and the Hamidiye Regiment under the command of Abdülmecit Bey and his son Halis Bey (current Ağrı Deputy Halis Öztürk) attacked in the direction of Pernavut (Gaziler).

(From left to right) Halis Bey (Öztürk), son of Abdulmecit Bey, and Mehmet Bayazıt, son of Sheikh İbrahim Bey

A WITNESS: DR. MEHMET DERVİŞ KUNTMAN'S YEARS IN IĞDIR

Military doctor Mehmet Derviş Bey (Kuntman)

My dear readers! Now I want to introduce you to an important personality who witnessed Iğdır's most critical periods and was friends with İhsan Nuri Pasha in Iğdır: Doctor Mehmet Derviş Kuntman.

Dr. Mehmet Derviş Bey is originally from Kilis. He is a military doctor. After graduating from the Military Medical Academy in 1909, he first did his internship at Gülhane, then was appointed as a battalion doctor. After that, he found himself in wars, first participating in the Balkan War, and then in the Sarıkamış Front. He treated soldiers and officers in the Allahuekber Mountains.

He participated in the War of Independence. He moved a military hospital with 500 beds, equipment, and a staff of two doctors, a pharmacist, a military police officer, an accountant, and 50 soldiers, which he established at the foot of Mount Ararat (in Iğdır), to the Western Front after a four-month journey.

In those years, the ignorance of the people in all matters also manifested itself in the field of health. Derviş Kuntman mentions an interesting event in his memoirs. A man with eczema (skin disease) on his neck one day applied to Doctor Kuntman. The doctor wrote a prescription, handed it to the man, and explained: "Take this, apply it to your neck, and tie a cloth over it!" When the man went home, he placed the prescription paper on the wound on his neck, tied it tightly with a cloth, and went to the market.

Doctor Kuntman traveled from front to front with the military unit he was assigned to, participating in the War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal after World War I, and wrote down his views and feelings from those years with sincere emotion.

Dr. Kuntman's memoirs were first published in the Armed Forces Magazine on September 1, 1965. A part of these memoirs contains a section about Iğdır in the 1920s. I wanted to share this section, which I think every person from Iğdır should read. (Source: General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department Publications / General Staff Printing House 2009)

WAR WITH THE ARMENIANS (October 7, 1920) (From Dr. Kuntman's memoirs)

The Armenian government, while settling in Yerevan by massacring the Turks in its vicinity, had attacked us from Bardiz to annex the Kars-Ardahan region, which had been ceded to us by the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and temporarily evacuated due to the armistice, to its own country. At this time, Kâzım KARABEKİR Pasha had taken the title of Commander of the Eastern Front, and a partial mobilization had also been carried out, so he immediately launched a counter-attack, captured Sarıkamış on October 12, 1920, and stopped the Armenians. Our division, formed from the 18th, 33rd, and 34th Regiments in Bayezid; due to the situation, could not get reserve soldiers from anywhere, and since the strength of the battalions could not exceed a certain number, it had called for help from the Karapapak and Celali tribes in Karaköse and Bayezid (Both are Hamidiye Regiments. Mücahit). The division was busy preparing them. I was giving practical and theoretical lessons for the provision of health services in the campaign and was engaged in procuring missing medicines and materials.

OCTOBER 25, 1920

Our 34th Regiment, with the Celali Tribe, moved to the Iğdır Front. We held the trenches assigned to us: This was the left flank of our division's front, extending from the foot of Mount Ararat to the Sinekli Plateau. In front of us was the Iğdır Plain; further ahead, the Aras River, and in the distance, Yerevan, with Mount Alagöz to its left, and Mount Ararat to our right. Our trenches were commanding and very secure positions. There was no contact with the enemy on the front yet. Although people were seen passing between the trees in the far distance, no hostile movements were detected from them. Apparently, all the Armenian forces and activities were on the Kars side... For this reason, we set up our tents in the sheltered places of our trenches; with binoculars in hand, we kept watch over the surroundings.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918, between Russia and Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. As a result of the insistence of Talat Pasha, who represented the Ottoman Empire, all the territories that Russia had occupied and taken during the 93 War in 1878, namely Ardahan, Kars, Artvin, and Batum, were to be immediately returned to Turkey. After the signing of the agreement, the Ottoman armies immediately entered these regions.

Although it has been fifteen days since we arrived here; we have heard neither cannon nor rifle fire. We live in constant silence. Only the noises of the tribal soldiers break this silence. These, with their white conical hats, bushy mustaches, and strange clothes, are constantly talking.

NOVEMBER 12, 1920

Kars had been captured, and the Armenians had fled towards Gyumri. Although they had also evacuated Iğdır, we were unaware of Iğdır's evacuation because our division and front were very wide and most of our forces were undisciplined.

NOVEMBER 26, 1920

Only today did the entire division, with the tribal regiments, flow into the Iğdır Plain. Each regiment began to advance in the direction assigned to it. We did not encounter any Armenians. They had withdrawn a long time ago, and there was no one left in the streets of Iğdır except for hungry cats and dog packs. Despite this, the state of the tribes was worth seeing: They attacked the empty Iğdır Plain like Don Quixote, at full gallop, with drawn swords, boasting of heroism. In this way, we went as far as the Aras shore and stopped there. However, at this time, our army in Kars had captured Gyumri, and the war had ended. Thus, the Armenian megalo idea had been overturned; they had been squeezed into the narrow area beyond the Aras and Arpaçay and had begged us for mercy. However, our soldiers, who had waited in the mountains for days to take revenge on the Armenians, were very saddened by their unnoticed escape, and they found comfort and relief by appeasing the fire in their hearts with the waters of the Aras flowing from the Bingöl mountains. I, too, felt great joy at the defeat of the Armenians and the collapse of the Ararat government, and I thanked Allah, considering this a sign of our victories on other fronts.

(End of Doctor Mehmet Derviş Kuntman's memoirs)

CONCLUSION

Dear readers!

As can be understood from the information I have provided above, the role of the Hamidiye Regiments in the Iğdır Civil War was decisive.

The Armenians requested a one-week period to evacuate Iğdır. This request was accepted. The Armenians moved their civilians and military forces across the Alican bridge towards Yerevan. They also burned the bridge. A week later, the forces besieging Iğdır launched a coordinated attack. Iğdır was included within the borders of the Grand National Assembly without a single shot being fired. (The story of someone named Mehmet Çavuş being martyred is fabricated information.)

Between May 28, 1918, and November 14, 1920, there were only the four ethnic and religious groups mentioned above in the Surmalu region. For example, the British set foot in Kars, but they did not come to the Surmalu plain. The Russian army had already withdrawn. The Ottoman army and later the Grand National Assembly army that replaced it were also not present in the Surmalu region. The civil war continued with all its intensity and determined the fate of Iğdır.

Unfortunately, disinformation and distortion regarding Iğdır's recent history have continued for years. The South-Western Caucasian Republic established in Kars and the Aras Turkish Republic established in Nakhchivan could neither prevent the genocides that occurred in Iğdır in August 1919 nor participate in the siege of Iğdır (October 1920), because these republics had collapsed by those dates.

South-Western Caucasian Government: Establishment: December 1, 1918 Dissolution: April 19, 1919

Aras Turkish Republic: Establishment: November 22, 1918 Dissolution: June 26, 1919

As seen above, the two Republics were not in existence during Iğdır's most difficult moment, namely in August 1919.

Another error is the claim that Kazım Karabekir Pasha personally entered the Surmalu territory at the head of his armies. This is also not accurate information. First, let's look at Kazım Karabekir Pasha's first arrival in Iğdır: In the second volume of the İstiklal Harbi book published by Yapı Kredi Yayınları, page 1236, Kazım Karabekir Pasha describes his first arrival in Iğdır. This is also the first moment Kazım Karabekir Pasha set foot on Surmalu soil. The date is May 17, 1338 Rumi, which is May 30, 1922 Gregorian. The Iğdır Civil War ended on November 12, 1920. This means that Kazım Karabekir Pasha came to Iğdır approximately 1.5 years after Iğdır's inclusion within the borders of the Grand National Assembly. (Note: The rule for converting Rumi to Gregorian calendar is as follows: 584 is added to the Rumi year. It should also be remembered that the Rumi calendar is 13 days behind. Thus, May 17, 1338 Rumi year corresponds to May 30, 1922 Gregorian year.)

During the years when the Ottoman Empire collapsed and was replaced by the Grand National Assembly Government, no civil war was experienced anywhere else in the country. Furthermore, since Iğdır was not shown within the borders of the Misak-i Milli (National Pact), it became the least important region for the Grand National Assembly forces.

Today, looking back 105 years, the picture that emerges is summarized above. We commemorate with mercy those who were martyred and those who contributed to Iğdır's inclusion within the borders of the Grand National Assembly Government.

CALL FOR MONUMENTAL TOMBS FOR OUR FORGOTTEN HEROES

In the difficult years of Iğdır, during the 1919-20 Civil War, there were many heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect the existence, honor, and land of the people. But sadly, families who did not play a role in history were given medals of honor, and their names were kept alive by being commemorated in ceremonies every year. And this scenario is continued in the same way every year by the highest officials of our state.

Monumental tombs were built for Kerem Bey, Şamil Bey, and Hacı Ali Ekber Tufan by the state, and they were rightfully honored. However, there are still other brave heroes whose graves remain surrounded by silence, kept alive as spiritual symbols in hearts: Ali Mirze Bey, Ahmed Şemo Ağa, Nado Ağa, and Hacı Tahir Ağa.

These are names who fearlessly launched attacks against Dro's headquarters in Taşburun; they heroically repelled the fiercest assaults of the Armenian Dashnak forces. They made the waters of Karasu impassable, and they wrote the history of Iğdır's resistance.

Today, their families, with the hope that "the State will one day honor our values too," are content with placing only spiritual symbols on the existing graves. But the names of these heroes should be the honor not only of their families but of all Iğdır, and even of our entire nation.

Therefore, I call upon our state to act: Monumental tombs should also be built for Ali Mirze Bey, Ahmed Şemo, Nado Ağa, and Hacı Tahir Ağa; their memory should be immortalized with the approval of the state. Because history writes not about those who forget, but about those who remember and claim their heroes.

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Iğdır must learn to look 100 years ahead, just as it looks 105 years back. What happened in the past is important, it should be remembered, and lessons should be learned. But what is most important is to make our Iğdır of today a city of peace and embrace the future.

Sincerely,

Mücahit Özden Hun