Batı AZERBAYCAN Eyaleti URUMİYE İLGİNÇ GÜZELLİKLERİ İLE BİZLERİ ŞAŞITTI-İRAN SERİSİ

Urmia (Azerbaijani: اورمو, Urmu, اورمیه, Urumiyə; Persian: ارومیه, Kurdish: Ûrmiye, Orumieh, Syriac: ܐܘܪܡܝܐ, Wurmê; Formerly: رضائیه, Rızaiye) is a city in the South Azerbaijan region of Iran, the administrative center of West Azerbaijan Province. The city is located in the central part of the province, on the plain bearing its name, between Lake Urmia and the Turkish border, 50 km from the Turkish border by road. History of the city Origin of its name A school in Urmia in the early twentieth century Urmia is an ancient city. It has been home to many civilizations. It was a city known for its importance and recognized by the surrounding civilizations and nations, referred to differently in every language. Syrians and Arabs called it 'Urmiya', Armenians 'Ormi', Persians 'Urumi', and Turks 'Urumiye'. The exact origin of the word is unknown, but it is thought to come from the Syriac 'ur-mia', meaning 'cradle of water'. Assyrian sources mention a place called 'Urmeyate' in the records of the Manna Kingdom around Lake Urmia. However, this name is unlikely to be the source of the city's name because it is not found in ancient Persian sources. 20th century In late 1914, Ottoman forces under Enver Pasha increased their covert activities in the region with the aim of drawing the Ottoman Empire into the war.[1] During World War I, the city changed hands several times between the forces of the Russian Empire and Ottoman troops and their Kurdish allies over the following two years.[2] In 1914, before the declaration of war against Russia, Ottoman forces crossed the Iranian border and destroyed Christian villages. Large-scale attacks in late September and October 1914 targeted many Assyrian villages, with attackers approaching as far as Urmia.[3] Thousands of Christians living along the border fled to Urmia due to the Ottoman attacks.[4] During the Russian withdrawal from Azerbaijan in early January 1915, many Christians fled[5], and between 20,000 and 25,000 refugees were stranded in Urmia.[6] Approximately 18,000 Christians took refuge in the Presbyterian and Lazarist missions in the city. Although there was reluctance to attack the mission settlements, many died from disease.[7] Between February and May (during the period of Ottoman withdrawal), a campaign of mass executions, looting, kidnapping, and extortion was carried out against Christians in Urmia.[6] In the Lazarist settlement, more than 100 men were arrested, and dozens (including Bishop Mar Dinkha of Tergaver) were executed on February 23–24.[8] The Russian army advanced again later in 1915. However, following the withdrawal of Russia as a result of the Russian Revolution in 1917,[9][10] approximately 5,000 Assyrian[11] and Armenian militias secured the area; however, these militias frequently abused their authority, killing Muslims without reason.[12] From February to July 1918, the region was the scene of ethnic violence as part of the Urmia conflict.[13][14] On February 22, local Muslims and the Iranian governor launched an uprising against the Christian militias in Urmia. The better organized Christians, led by Agha Petros, brutally suppressed the uprising; hundreds (possibly thousands) were killed.[12] On March 16, Mar Shimun and several of his bodyguards were killed by Kurdish leader Simko Shikak while meeting to discuss an alliance, possibly instigated by Iranian officials concerned about Assyrian separatism. The Assyrians then engaged in acts of killing and looting; failing to find Simko, they targeted Iranian officials and civilians.[15][16] The Kurds, meanwhile, massacred Christians indiscriminately, regardless of sect or ethnicity.[14] Christians were massacred in Salmas in June and Urmia in early July,[13] and many Assyrian women were abducted.[17] Christian militias in Azerbaijan were unable to resist the Ottoman army that occupied the region in July 1918.[12] Tens of thousands of Ottoman and Iranian Assyrians fled south toward Hamadan on July 18, where British Dunsterforce troops were stationed. This flight occurred because Ottoman forces under Ali Ihsan Sabis were approaching Urmia.[18][19] The Ottoman occupation was followed by the killing of Christians, including the Chaldean archbishop Toma Audo, and the sacking of Urmia.[20][14] Qajar Era The city was captured in 1756 by the Qajar bey Muhammad Hasan Khan Qajar. After his death, the city was seized by the Afshar bey Fath Ali Khan Afshar, but after a seven-month siege by Karim Khan Zend, it came under the rule of the Zend Dynasty in 1759. After the fall of the Zend Dynasty, the Afshars of Urmia revolted again, but were unsuccessful. In 1828, Urmia was occupied by Russian forces for months during the Russo-Iranian War. In the absence of the governor, the city was administered by Najaf-Kulu Khan Afshar. Near the city, on January 9, 2011, a domestic flight by Iran Air crashed, killing 72 people. WIKIPEDIA