A Russian victory at Dilman halted the Ottoman advance into northwestern Persia and was followed by massacres of Armenian and Assyrian soldiers and civilians.
Key Facts
- Date
- 15 April 1915
- Ottoman dead (total)
- 3,500 soldiers
- Ottoman dead (first day)
- 468 soldiers
- Ottoman wounded (first day)
- 1,228 soldiers
- Ottoman missing (first day)
- 370 soldiers
- Ottoman Kurdish desertions
- Over half of Ottoman troops were Kurdish, nearly all deserted
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During World War I, the Ottoman Empire sought to extend its military influence into Qajar Persia, advancing forces under Halil Kut into northwestern Iran. The Ottoman army, composed significantly of Kurdish irregular troops, moved to challenge Russian control in the region, setting the stage for a major confrontation at Dilman in April 1915.
On 15 April 1915, Russian and Ottoman forces clashed at Dilman in Qajar Iran. Despite numerical superiority, the Ottomans suffered devastating losses: 468 killed, 1,228 wounded, and 370 missing on the first day alone, with total Ottoman dead reaching 3,500 by battle's end. More than half the Ottoman troops were Kurdish and nearly all deserted. Russian forces under Tovmas Nazarbekian, aided by Armenian and Assyrian volunteers, secured a decisive victory.
Within a month, Halil Kut withdrew from Persia with his army reduced to half its original size. Blaming Christians for the defeat, he ordered the execution of Armenian and Assyrian soldiers within his ranks. German military advisors documented the murder of several hundred unarmed Armenian and Assyrian troops. Ottoman forces also massacred Armenian and Assyrian civilian populations of northwestern Persia.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
3 belligerents
Tovmas Nazarbekian.
Side B
1 belligerent
Halil Kut.