Syunik rebellion

Syunik rebellion
War of the Armenians against the Turks during the Syunik Rebellion in 1722 (J. Broussali, 1887)
Date 1722–1730 Location Syunik, Iranian Armenia Result Ottoman victory[1] Some Armenian resistance continues until the region is reconquered by Iran Territorial changes Syunik is occupied by the Ottoman Empire in 1730
Belligerents
Syunik Armenian melikdoms Supported by: Melikdoms of Karabagh	Ottoman Empire Khanates of the Caucasus Karachorlu tribes Javanshir tribes Safavid Iran (until 1727)
Commanders and leaders
Davit Bek  # Mkhitar Sparapet  X Ter-Avetis	Ahmed III Tahmasp II

The Syunik rebellion of 1722–1730 (Armenian: Սյունիքի ազատագրական պայքար, lit. 'Syunik liberation struggle') began as a rebellion of the Armenians of the region of Syunik (also known at the time as Ghapan) in Iranian Armenia against Safavid rule and local Muslim tribes and rulers. Under the leadership of Davit Bek, an Armenian soldier from Georgia, the Armenian lords (meliks) of Syunik were united and an independent Armenian principality was established. From 1725, the Armenian principality of Syunik resisted the Ottoman Empire's attempts to occupy the region. After making initial gains and occupying a significant part of the province, the Ottomans were defeated at the Battle of Halidzor on 26 February 1727. After this victory, Davit Bek's forces completely drove the Ottomans out of Syunik, and he was recognized by the Safavid shah Tahmasp II as ruler of Ghapan. After his death in mid-1728, Davit Bek was succeeded by one of his commanders, Mkhitar Sparapet. In a renewed assault, the Ottomans captured and destroyed Halidzor in early 1729, forcing Mkhitar to flee. Although Mkhitar continued to resist the Ottomans and won some victories, he was killed by a group of Armenian villagers in Khndzoresk. Left leaderless, the Armenian forces dispersed, and the Ottomans occupied Syunik, although some Armenians continued to resist from impregnable mountainous areas. The rebellion occurred at the same time as, and occasionally directly cooperated with, an Armenian rebellion in the neighboring region of Karabagh.