Circassian Destiny: To Remind those whose Memory has Betrayed (1)
Adel Bashqawi
October 7, 2024
Introduction
This article sheds light on and elaborates the shocking facts of a war of genocide and extermination against the Circassian nation—events that no sane observer attempted to stop. Not many people are aware of the brutal atrocities and tragedies that the Circassian nation was exposed to during its long struggle for survival, which lasted for more than a century. The courageous nation desperately defended itself and its people against the aggression of greedy forces of evil to protect its existence, identity, homeland, and its past, present, and future.
Historical Context
Russia’s expansionist colonial plans and projects represent nothing short of a moral downfall, marked by attempts to control the fates of others. Their intentions were to invade and dominate the homelands of others in the Caucasus and beyond, including Circassia. Beyond any doubt, the Russian Empire coordinated and agreed upon these plans with the Ottoman Empire, which shared in the burden of falsehood, lies, and deception—exploiting notions of false brotherhood and deceptive friendship to exchange benefits with the greedy Russian Empire.
The Treaty of Adrianople (Edirne)
In the race for colonial possessions, the Treaty of Adrianople (Edirne), signed between the Russian and Ottoman Empires on September 14, 1829, marked a decisive turning point and initiated a new regional phase. To properly contextualize this, it is essential to reference the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, signed on July 21, 1774. This treaty signaled “the beginning of acquiescence, weakness of will, and the potential disintegration of the aging Ottoman Empire. At the same time, the Russian Tsarist Empire capitalized on these weaknesses to seize colonial spoils and expand its imperial influence at the expense of the Ottomans.” [1]
“Imperial powers competed to acquire regions that included the homelands of the Caucasus peoples and nations, regardless of cost and circumstance. Colonialists considered this their prerogative. The Ottomans and Tsarist Russians bear moral and legal responsibility. Soon after signing the Adrianople treaty, the Circassian coasts were blockaded by the Russian Black Sea fleet to prevent external forces from aiding Circassian independence. The treaty also allowed Russia to control the strategic sites of the Black Sea and annex the islands controlling the mouth of the Danube River along with the Caucasus coastal strip.” [2]
It is an irony of fate that the Ottoman Empire committed an act of shame and disgrace by sacrificing the Circassian nation as a scapegoat, offered on the altar of opportunism and narcissism. The Treaty of Adrianople mentioned the Ottoman Empire’s ceding of the “Caucasian coast of the Black Sea,” which included Circassia—despite it never having been part of the Ottoman Empire nor under its control. This cession, made without the knowledge or consent of the Circassians, outraged Circassian leaders, who only learned about the treaty after it was concluded. Their fury stemmed from what they saw as reckless and immoral behavior that reflected poor judgment and bad intentions. It has been suggested that Ottoman-Circassian friendship was a one-sided model.
Russian Invasion
The Russian expansionist ambitions developed into tensions and hostilities, growing over the years. They appeared to be deadly and aggressive as tensions increased along the fragile borders between Russia and Circassia. Russian fortresses such as Mozdok were established and then used as bases for invading and occupying Circassian villages and towns. The penetration of Circassian territories began during the reign of Empress Catherine II in 1763.
By “1776, the Russian army had built several forts along the Terek River to encircle Circassia from the north. In response, the Circassians managed to gather a 14,000-strong army and recaptured several forts, capturing many soldiers in the process. By 1793, General Suvorov seized the lands of the Shapsugh and Bzedugh tribes along the Kuban River.” [3]
The Circassians, with their limited capabilities, resisted all attempts at interference from the first moments the Russian Empire bared its fangs and began realizing its colonial ambitions. Russia aimed to reach the warm waters of the Black Sea and control Circassia after exterminating its people and displacing or deporting the survivors either beyond the Kuban River or to the Ottoman Empire. The plan was to establish settlements and replace the native population with settlers of different races and nationalities, compatible with the colonial goals.
The Ottoman Empire, in a fragile and unenviable position since the 17th century, was facing a harsh reality. Conflicts, ambitions, and interests among major and regional expansionist powers clashed, with the Russian Empire proving to be the most rampant, brutal, and predatory force.
Military Campaigns: The Russian-Circassian War
The war was not just a matter of Russian forces attacking Circassian towns and villages and gradually occupying Circassian land. It was also accompanied by propaganda, lies, and misinformation targeting not only the Circassian nation but also other peoples and nations within the Caucasus and beyond.
By 1801, the Russian Empire had confirmed its annexation of Georgia, making Tbilisi the center of its military command in the South Caucasus. From there, it led operations related to the war that had begun in 1763 against Circassia.
The brutality of the Russian forces, alongside the hypocrisy of international and regional powers, became more apparent as the war progressed. The Russian Black Sea Fleet imposed a blockade on the Circassian coast, which resulted in a suffocating economic siege.
“Military tactician Count Dmitri Milyutin, who became Alexander ll’s Minister of War in 1861, implemented an 1857 proposal to expel the Circassians to the Ottoman Empire. The czar’s approval of this rapid expulsion resulted in ethnic cleansing through disease and drowning as overcrowded ferries crossed the Black Sea. The Ottomans were unprepared for the influx of refugees, and the absence of adequate shelter caused even more deaths.” [4]
Kabarda and Eastern Circassia were occupied first, followed by Western Circassia. Sochi, the last Circassian capital, fell on May 21, 1864, marking the end of the Russian-Circassian War.
During the war, the Russian Empire did not recognize Circassia as an independent region, and as a result, it considered Circassia Russian land which was under rebel occupation, despite the fact that the region was not and had never been under Russian control. [5] Russian generals did not refer to the Circassians by their ethnic name, instead, they called the Circassians “mountaineers,” “bandits,” and “mountain scum.” [6] [7] The war has been subjected to historical revisionism and it has also garnered controversy due to the fact that later Russian sources mostly ignored or belittled the conflict, and Russian state media and officials have gone as far as to claim that the conflict “never happened” and they have also claimed that Circassia “voluntarily joined Russia in the 16th century”. [8] [9]
Conclusion
Russia continues to act without remorse, ignoring the demands of oppressed peoples and nations whose homelands have been occupied and annexed. It has also engaged in other colonial campaigns, such as the war against Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, and continues to this day.
Despite its denial and falsification of history, the truth remains. People and nations continue to defend their legitimate rights and national dignity against the longest colonial occupation since the 19th century.
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References:
[1] https://justicefornorthcaucasus.info/?p=1251679006
[2] https://justicefornorthcaucasus.info/?p=1251682825
[3] (Bashqawi, Adel (15 September 2017). Circassia: Born to Be Free.)
[5] (Richmond, Walter (9 April 2013). The Circassian Genocide.)
[6] (Richmond, Walter (9 April 2013). The Circassian Genocide.)
[7] (Capobianco, Michael (13 October 2012). “Blood on the Shore: The Circassian Genocide”.)
[8] (Bashqawi, Adel (15 September 2017). Circassia: Born to Be Free.)
[9] (Richmond, Walter (April 9, 2013). The Circassian Genocide.)
