Andranik Ozanian

Andranik Ozanian helped organize and lead Armenian volunteer battalions within the Russian Imperial Army at the outbreak of World War I. These units fought against the Ottoman Empire, aiming to liberate Armenian-populated regions of Western Armenia.

Andranik's forces participated in the Russian relief of the Armenian population during the Siege of Van. The successful defense and evacuation of Van saved thousands of Armenians from the Ottoman genocide, though the city was later abandoned.

After the Russian Revolution, Andranik took command of the Armenian volunteer units, which were reorganized into the Armenian Division. He led them in battles against Ottoman forces in the Caucasus, including the Battle of Erzincan.

After the Treaty of Batum ceded Armenian territories to the Ottoman Empire, Andranik established a de facto Armenian state in the mountainous region of Zangezur. He led guerrilla resistance against Ottoman and later Azerbaijani forces, protecting the local Armenian population.

Under pressure from Allied powers, Andranik disbanded his forces and went into exile. He settled in the United States, where he continued to advocate for Armenian independence and relief efforts for genocide survivors until his death in 1927.