Southern Azerbaijan in World War I

With the "Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907" involving the division of Iran in the early 20th century, Southern Azerbaijan was declared as Russian domain. From then on, Russians increased their political, military, and economic activities in the region. Although the Iran Government declared its neutrality upon the start of World War I, the region started to be occupied by Russians. Their biggest regional supporters during the occupation were Armenians and Nestorians. Providing arms and monetary aids to Armenians and Nestorians, Russians put pressure on especially pro-Ottoman Muslim people and disrupted public order by exploiting certain Kurdish tribes in areas close to the Ottoman-Iranian border. The Ottoman Empire went into action in order to end such Russian activities. First, it declared Jihad Al-Akbar and called Muslim people in the region to fight against Russian. Then it sent platoons to the region. The struggle between Ottomans and Russians continued in the region until the Bolshevik Revolution. The British, Armenians, and Nestorians, who wanted to draw advantage from vacuum of authority as Russians withdrew due to the revolution, tried to dominate the region. The Ottoman Empire wishing to build a barrier to British, Armenian, and Nestorian activities in the region had to send platoons to the region again. The struggle continued until the Armistice of Mudros was signed. Key words: Iran Government, Southern Azerbaijan, Russians, Ottoman Empire, Armenians and Nestorians, Kurdish tribes