Battle of Sharur (1919)

Battle of Sharur
Part of Muslim Uprisings, Aras War and Armenian-Azerbaijani war
Date Late May 1919 Location Sharur, Republic of Aras (present-day Azerbaijan) 39°32′45″N 44°58′20″E Result Armenian victory
Belligerents
Republic of Armenia	Republic of Aras
Commanders and leaders
Drastamat Kanayan	unknown
Strength
18000	unknown
class=notpageimage| Location within Azerbaijan

The Battle of Sharur was military conflict between First Republic of Armenia and Republic of Aras, during Aras War, which is part of Muslim uprisings in Kars and Sharur–Nakhichevan and Armenian–Azerbaijani war, in late 1919.

Background

In mid-March 1919, the Azerbaijan representative Mohammed Khan-Tekinskii came to Yerevan. Diplomatic relations had been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Khan-Tekinskii was a well-known Pan-Turkist. As the Armenian government later discovered in the codes he periodically sent to Baku, he was involved in the business of organising the Muslim revolts in Armenia.

Muslim Revolts

Main article: Muslim uprisings in Kars and Sharur–Nakhichevan

In August 1919, the Turks in Armenia began to threaten Etchmiadzin. Eight Armenians in neighbouring villages were killed. All of Zangibasar rebelled and refused to recognise Armenian authority.

Armenian offensives

Main article: Aras War

Armenians began their offensives on late May 1919, quickly making significant gains within the region, as the Armenian troops had taken Sadarak, Kangarli and Sharur back within a week. The outnumbered Azerbaijanis had little to no chance against the much better armed and trained Armenians.