Battle of the Straits

Battle of The Straits
Part of Conflicts between the kurds and the Ottoman Empire
Date June, 1810 Location Derbend, Suliman Hya Result Baban Emirate victory
Belligerents
Baban Emirate	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Abdulrahman Pasha	Sulaiman Pasha (KIA)
Strength
Unknown	Unknown, but most likely over 100,000
Casualties and losses
10,000	100,000

Background

In 1806, Abdurrahman Pasha held a rebellion. Some Kurdish historians consider this the first revolt with nationalist sentiments, however, his real intent was to expand his realm at the expense of the vali of Baghdad and he tried to be the only power in the province with the approval of the sultan and with the economic and military power he had in hand, not an independent Kurdistan. As the British resident J.C. Rich, who was a close friend of Abdurrahman Pasha, puts it, the Pasha did not seek full independence, he only wished "to render his country tributary to the Porte, but independent of any neighbouring Pasha". The reason for this revolt was because when Ibrahim Pasha, whom was Abdurrahman’s uncle, died. The Ottoman authority placed a rival tribe member as Emir.

Battle

In June 1810, Abdurrahman Pasha marched towards Baghdad to overthrow the semi-independent Governor Kücük Süleyman Pasha, who had not paid tribute to Istanbul. The forces of the Baghdad army launched a violent attack on Abdurrahman Pasha’s army, which scattered his forces, many of whom joined the Baghdad army or Khalid Pasha’s army. But in the end, Abdurrahman Pasha turned out victorious, as the casualties of his forces numbered only 10,000, while the opposition forces numbered 100,000 and Süleyman Pasha was killed. This battle would be known as the Battle of the Straits, or the Battle of Darband. This victory secured Abdurrahman Pasha considerable cachet in Istanbul.

Aftermath

Upon his return, he was appointed as Kethüda (or steward) to the sultan’s inner circle.

See also

((Baban Emirate)) ((Ottoman Empire))

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