104 years have passed since the liberation of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from the Armenian and Bolshevik gangs by the Ottoman army, called the Caucasian Islamic Army. Azerbaijanis still remember Turkish Soldier (Mehmetçik) and their commander Nuri Pasha (Killigil), who came to the aid of their brothers from Anatolia 104 years ago, with respect and gratitude. Declaring its independence on May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan signed its first agreement with the Ottoman Empire. The agreement signed in Batumi, the capital of Georgia, on June 4, 1918, envisaged the establishment of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the Ottoman Empire in the political, legal, commercial and military fields.
In accordance with Article 4 of this agreement, Azerbaijan asked the Ottoman government for help against the occupation of British forces and Armenian and Bolshevik gangs. This request was found positive by the Ottoman government and the Minister of War Enver Pasha commissioned his brother Nuri Pasha to form an army and go to the aid of Azerbaijan. Nuri Pasha, with the participation of 106th and 107th Infantry and 56th Artillery troops, brought from the Palestine Front, formed an army called the Caucasian Islamic Army and moved to Azerbaijan. The number of soldiers in the Caucasus Islamic Army reached 12 thousand with 1,000 reinforcements from the Azerbaijani corps. The Caucasian Islamic Army first cleared Göyçay, Salyan, Ağsu and Kürdemir on its route from the enemy forces, and liberated Baku after 30 hours of fierce fighting on September 15, 1918. Ottoman soldiers were enthusiastically welcomed by Baku and held a parade in the city.
However, the stay of the Ottoman army in Baku did not last long. When the Ottoman Empire was defeated in the First World War, it was forced to withdraw to its borders before the war in accordance with the Armistice of Mudros signed on October 30, 1918. Therefore, the Caucasian Islamic Army left Baku on November 16. The Caucasian Islamic Army stayed in Azerbaijan for only 2 months, but played an important role in ensuring the country's territorial integrity and making Baku the capital. There were 1,130 martyrs of the Caucasian Islamic Army in the struggle for the liberation of Baku.