Bitlis uprising (1914)

The Bitlis uprising was a Kurdish uprising in the Ottoman Empire in early 1914.[2] It was supported by the Russian Empire.[2] It was fought concurrently with an unrelated Kurdish uprising in Barzan in the Mosul Vilayet, which was also supported by Russia.[2] Later Kurdish nationalist historiography portrayed the uprising as part of a Kurdish nationalist struggle, but its actual causes laid in opposition to conscription and taxation.[2] The uprising began in early March, with a skirmish between Kurdish fighters and Ottoman gendarmes, where the latter was forced to retreat.[2] The Kurds subsequently laid siege to the city of Bitlis, and captured the city on 2 April.[2] Ottoman forces were then dispatched from Muş and Van and suppressed the uprising.[2] After the defeat of the uprising on 4 April, one of the rebel leaders, Molla Selim, successfully sought asylum in Russia.[2]

Bitlis uprising
Bitlis uprising (1914) is located in Turkey
Bitlis
Bitlis
Bitlis uprising (1914) (Turkey)
DateEarly March – 4 April 1914
Location
Result

Ottoman victory

  • Uprising suppressed
Belligerents
Kurdish rebels
Supported by:
 Russian Empire
 Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mullah Selim[1]
Sayyid Ali[1]
Sheikh Şahabeddin[1]
Unknown
Strength
"thousands"[2] Garrison at Bitlis:
Unknown, but less than the Kurds[2]
Reinforcements:
Unknown

References

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  1. ^ a b c Demirtaş, Mehmet (2018). "1914 Tarihli Bitlis İsyanının Osmanlı Arşiv Belgelerindeki Yansımaları-Cezalar, Mükâfatlar". dergipark.org.tr. p. 433. The leaders of the insurrection were Mullah Selim, Sayyid Ali and Sheikh Şahabeddin who were the religious scholars of Hizan Province.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Henning, Barbara (2018-04-03). Narratives of the History of the Ottoman-Kurdish Bedirhani Family in Imperial and Post-Imperial Contexts: Continuities and Changes. University of Bamberg Press. pp. 322–327. ISBN 9783863095512.
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