The anniversary of Baku’s liberation
Azerbaijanis commemorate with respect and gratitude Mehmetçik, the Turkish soldiers who went from Anatolia to help their brothers, and Nuri Pasha (Killigil), commander of the Caucasian Islamic Army. The Caucasian Islamic Army liberated Baku on September 15, 1918.
Azerbaijan, which declared its independence on May 28, 1918, signed its first agreement with the Ottoman Empire. The agreement signed in Batumi on June 4, 1918, envisaged the establishment of friendly relations between the two countries in the political, legal, commercial and military fields.
The Caucasian Islamic Army was established
Under Article 4 of the agreement, Azerbaijan requested assistance from the Ottoman government against the occupation by British forces and Armenian and Bolshevik groups. After the request was accepted, War Minister Enver Pasha assigned his brother, Nuri Pasha, to establish an army and go to Azerbaijan’s aid.
Nuri Pasha established the Caucasian Islamic Army with the participation of the 106th and 107th Infantry Regiments and the 56th Artillery Regiment, which were brought from the Palestine Front, and set out for Azerbaijan. With a 1,000-man reinforcement from the Azerbaijani army corps, the army’s strength reached 12,000.
Baku was liberated after 30 hours of fighting
The Caucasian Islamic Army advanced toward Baku after driving enemy forces out of Goychay, Salyan, Agsu and Kurdamir along its route. The city was liberated on September 15, 1918, after 30 hours of fierce fighting.
Residents of Baku welcomed the Ottoman soldiers enthusiastically, and a parade was held in the city. The Caucasian Islamic Army’s presence in Baku, however, did not last long.
The Ottoman army left Baku in November
After the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I, the Armistice of Mudros was signed on October 30, 1918. Under the armistice, the Caucasian Islamic Army was forced to withdraw to its prewar borders and left Baku on November 16.
The army remained in Azerbaijan for only two months. The Caucasian Islamic Army played an important role in securing the country’s territorial integrity and making Baku the capital.
The Caucasian Islamic Army lost 1,130 martyrs in the struggle to liberate Baku. The graves of the Caucasian Islamic Army’s martyrs are located in Azerbaijan’s Baku, Shaki, Shamakhi, Goychay, Kurdamir, Neftchala, Hajigabul and Guba regions.
