Ararat rebellion

Quick Facts: Who was Ararat rebellion?

Subject:

Ararat rebellion

Known for:

A 1930 Kurdish uprising in eastern Turkey, centered around Ağrı Province.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Ararat rebellion, also known as the Ağrı rebellion (Turkish: Ağrı ayaklanmaları or Ağrı isyanı), was a 1930 uprising by the Kurds of Ağrı Province, in eastern Turkey, against the Turkish government. The leader of the guerrilla forces during the rebellion was Ihsan Nuri of the Jibran branch of the Jalali tribe. In 1926, before the Ararat revolt, Ibrahim Heski led the Hesenan, Jalali and Haydaran tribes in a rebellion (May 16–June 17, 1926). On May 16, the Kurdish forces fought against the 28th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division of the Turkish army and a Gendarmerie regiment in the Demirkapı region. The Turkish forces were defeated and the scattered 28th Regiment had to retreat towards Doğubeyazıt.

Career & Major Achievements

On June 16/17, Heski and his forces were surrounded by the 28th and 34th regiments of the Turkish army and had to retreat over Yukarı Demirkapı to Iran. The rebellion was also supported by the Armenian Dashnak Party. On June 11, 1930 armed responses under the leadership of Salih Pasha to the rebellion were initiated by the Turkish military against the Ağrı insurgents. According to Wadie Jwaideh, Xoybûn, the Kurmanci Kurdish nationalist organization co-ordinating the rebellion, urgently appealed for help from Kurds. It was a Kurdish rebellion by mostly Kurmancî Kurds, which greatly outnumbered the Qizilbash of Dersim.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

That is why, much to the Turks' dismay, Xoybûn's appeal was answered on a wide front by a counteroffensive at Mount Tendürek, Iğdır, Erciş, Mount Süphan, Van and Bitlis, forcing the Turks to temporarily abandon their offensive against Ağrı. In July, the Xoybun decided to send reinforcements from Syria to the revolt in the night from August 4–5. Five separate groups should have been led by Hadjo Agha, Kadri Cemilpasha, Khamil, the son of Ibrahim Pasha, Rassoul Agha Mohammed from the Bohtan area and Mustafa and Bozan Sahin. But the plan was not executed as planned, and three reinforcements returned after they noticed their men's exhaustion. By the end of summer 1930 the Turkish Air Force was bombing Kurdish positions around Mount Ararat (Turkish: Ağrı Dağı) from all directions.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1926: 1926 Milestone — In 1926, before the Ararat revolt, Ibrahim Heski led the Hesenan, Jalali and Haydaran tribes in a rebellion (May 16–June 17, 1926).
2. 1930: 1930 Milestone — The Ararat rebellion, also known as the Ağrı rebellion (Turkish: Ağrı ayaklanmaları or Ağrı isyanı), was a 1930 uprising by the Kurds of Ağrı Province, in eastern Turkey, against the Turkish government.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ararat rebellion

True or False: “The rebellion was entirely contained within the borders of modern-day Turkish territory throughout its duration.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The initial stages saw Kurdish forces retreating over Yukarı Demirkapı into Iran.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Wölfli — Historical peer (Died in 1930) (1930): Swiss outsider artist known for meticulous, symbolic, and autobiographical works.
• Adonis (poet) — Historical peer (Born in 1930) (1930): Pioneering Syrian poet, essayist, and translator who revolutionized modern Arabic verse.
• Aaron Klug — Historical peer (Born in 1926) (1926): Pioneering biophysicist known for crystallographic electron microscopy and nucleic acid structure.
• Abdus Salam — Historical peer (Born in 1926) (1926): Pioneering Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ararat rebellion