Many Armenian populations resisted the Ottoman government’s orders for their removal and organized efforts of self-defense. Some of the most well known examples of self-defense took place by Armenians from the cities of Van (April-May 1915), Shabin-Karahisar (June 1915), Urfa (September 1915), and by those from the surrounding villages of Musa Dagh/Musa Ler/Mountain of Moses (July-September 1915).
The city of Van was one of the ancient capitals of historical Armenia. In early April 1915, Ottoman troops and Kurdish irregular squads began an outbreak of violence and massacres in the surrounding villages of Van. In reaction, the Vanetsis or the Armenians of Van, barricaded themselves and took up arms in self defense to resist attacks for nearly one month (April-May 1915). The self-defense battle of Van is one of the legendary struggles for liberation by Armenians under the leadership of Aram Manukian and Armenak Yekarian, until the arrival of Russian troops by mid-May 1915.
Watch testimony from Armenian survivor, Verjin Shirvanian, who shares her memory of the defense of Van.
About the Interviewee
Verjin Shirvanian was born in 1901, in the city of Van within the Van province. She was interviewed by the Armenian Film Foundation on March 29, 1984 in La Cañada Flintridge, California (United States).