Armenians serving in the Ottoman Army were disbanded and disarmed. removing any possible protection for the Armenian minority. Powerless and overwhelmed by the cruelty of their Ottoman captors. Armenians were deported from cities and towns throughout Turkey and Asia Minor. A majority of the deportees perished when forced on long death marches to the deserts of what is now Syria and Iraq. The end of World War I brought a short period of relief for the surviving Armenians. In 1918. the illequipped Armenian Army. comprised of refugees and volunteers from abroad. arose and defeated invading Turkish forces. On May 28 of that year. having thwarted the designs of their invaders. Armenians triumphantly established an independent and sovereign state.
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deported deportees refugees