Battle of Sardarabad
Sardarapat, near Armavir, Armavir Province, Armenia
What happened
Armenian soldiers, militia and volunteers under Tovmas Nazarbekian, Movses Silikyan and Daniel Bek-Pirumyan fought the Ottoman Third Army under Mehmed Wehib Pasha. In May 1918, at the end of the First World War, an Ottoman army advanced toward Yerevan. Armenian forces, including many volunteers, counter-attacked near Sardarapat, about 40 km west of Yerevan. Civilians brought food and supplies to the front, and over a week the Ottoman army was pushed back.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory stopped the Ottoman advance on Yerevan and made the First Republic of Armenia possible. Armenia declared its independence on 28 May 1918.
What came next
A ceasefire came on 29 May. In 1968, for the 50th anniversary, the Sardarapat Memorial was built on the battlefield.
Did you know?
The memorial's bell tower has twelve bells that ring each year on the anniversary of the victory.
Timeline
- 21 May 1918Ottoman forces approach Sardarapat.
- 22 May 1918The Armenian counter-attack begins.
- 28 May 1918Armenia declares independence.
- 29 May 1918A ceasefire is agreed.
- 1968The Sardarapat Memorial is completed.