Turkish invasion of Georgia
| Turkish invasion of Georgia | |||||||||
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| Part of the Eastern Front of the Turkish War of Independence and the Soviet invasion of Georgia | |||||||||
Turkish movements during the Turkish-Georgian War in 1921 | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Co-belligerent: Soviet Russia Soviet Armenia Soviet Azerbaijan |
Democratic Republic of Georgia Supported by : Spain Kingdom of Italy France | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Kâzım Karabekir | Giorgi Mazniashvili | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 3,500 | 3,000 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 30 killed | 80 killed | ||||||||
The Turkish invasion of Georgia or Turkish involvement in Soviet invasion of Georgia became an important conflict because it marked the end of Soviet forces' invasion of Georgia and the dissolution of the new democratic government in Georgia. Turkish Nationalists and the Soviet government were competing for control over the region while Georgia was losing its place strategically in the area.
In early 1921, the new Turkish Nationalist government wanted to work with the Soviet Union in opposition to the West. They were also trying to establish claim to areas within the South Caucasus region. As Georgia became increasingly isolated in itself and stretched thin with its army, the Georgian government sought to guarantee Turkish neutrality and continue support from Turkey. Georgia tried to accomplish this by offering Turkey some territories located in the areas of Ardahan and Artvin. After being delivered these territories by the Georgian government, Turkish military forces under the command of Kâzım Karabekir, the commander of the Eastern Front, entered Georgian territory and occupied several towns located within these territories.
After the fall of Tbilisi to the Soviet Union, Turkish troops were able to expand their occupation into much of the territory that was originally promised for them by the Georgian government. This included acquiring control over Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, and heading towards Batumi with limited resistance from the Georgian Army, but they subsequently received resistance from the Red Army. The Red Army was able to enter these areas of dispute in early March, which forced Turkish forces to withdraw after a short standoff with the Red Army. Soviet military commanders were given orders to refrain from open combat with Turkish military forces and not to enter into Georgian territory.