Armenian Militia
| Armenian fedayi | |
|---|---|
A fedayi group fighting under the ARF banner.
The banner reads Liberty or Death. |
|
| Active | 1880s–1920s |
| Country |
Ottoman Empire Russian Empire Qajar Iran |
| Allegiance | |
| Type | Militia |
| Size | 40,000 during the Genocide |
| Engagements |
Armenian national liberation movement Iranian Constitutional Revolution Armenian Genocide Resistance |
| Commanders | |
| before 1893 | Arabo |
| 1893–1899 | Aghbiur Serob |
| 1899–1904 | Andranik |
| 1904–1907 | Kevork Chavush |
Fedayi (Western Armenian: Ֆէտայի Fedayi; Eastern Armenian: Ֆիդայի Fidayi), also known as the Armenian irregular units or Armenian militia, were Armenian civilians who voluntarily left their families to form self-defense units and armed bands in reaction to the mass murder of Armenians and the pillage of Armenian villages by criminals, tribal Kurdish forces, and Hamidian guards during the reign of Abdul Hamid II in late 19th and early 20th centuries, known as the Hamidian massacres. Their ultimate goal was always to gain Armenian autonomy (Armenakans) or independence (Dashnaks, Hunchaks) depending on their ideology and the degree of oppression visited on Armenians.
Some of the key Fedayi figures also participated in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution that commenced during the same period, upon agreement of the ARF leaders.
The Armenian term fedayi is ultimately derived from Arabic fedayeen: فدائيون fidā'īyīn, literally meaning "those who sacrifice".
Armenian fedayis' main goal was to defend Armenian villagers from persecution and at the same time, disrupt the Ottoman Empire's activities in Armenian populated regions. Armenian volunteers fought during Hamidian Massacres, Sasun Resistance (1894), Zeitun Rebellion (1895–1896), Defense of Van, and Khanasor Expedition. They were the leaders and members of the Armenian national movement. These bands sabotaged telegraph lines and raided army supplies. They also committed assassinations and counter-attacks on Muslim villages. They helped Armenians defend themselves during village purges by Ottoman officials. They were supported by Armenians and quickly gained fame, support and trust by them.
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