Invasion of Tabriz, World War I

Invasion of Tabriz during world war I is multiple occupation and re-occupation of city of Tabriz in Iranian Azerbaijan between the forces of the Ottoman Empire and the forces of the Russian Empire during World War I.

History
Before World War I Tabriz was already held by Russian forces and had been since the Russian Invasion of Tabriz, 1911. In June 31, 1914 three days after the war began, the Iranian government declared neutrality. Despite this, once the Russians started their campaign in autumn, they sent additional forces to northwestern Iran where they reinforced the 10'000 men already there with an additional 60,000.

On January 2, 1915, at the Battle of Sarikamish in Caucasus, Ottoman forces started their campaign inside Iran and forced Russian forces to retreat to Jolfa, Iran (city). During this battle Ottoman forces succeeded in invading Tabriz. With fresh forces, the Russians defeated Ottoman forces south of Jolfa and took the control of Tabriz. The Russians proceeded on toward the west, invaded Urmia and went up to Van Lake.At the same time the Russians entered central Iran and invaded Qazvin, Karaj, and Tehran.

With the revolution of 1917, Russian forces lost their structure on front lines and started to retreat from Iran. With the power vacuum in the newly retreated lands Ottoman forces quickly took action and invaded northwestern Iran and the city of Tabriz. They stayed in Tabriz up until August 23, 1918 when Ottoman abolished.