Circassian genocide

The Circassian genocide, also known as Tsitsekun, refers to the systematic mass killing and forced displacement of the Circassian people. This occurred during the final stages of the Russian invasion of Circassia in the 19th century. Circassia was a region located in the Caucasus mountains. The Russian Empire sought to expand its territory to the south. They aimed to incorporate the Caucasus into their domain to gain control over the region. This process resulted in the destruction of Circassian society and the annexation of their lands by the Russian Empire.

The conflict was driven by several strategic and religious factors. The Russian Empire wanted to expand at the expense of the Ottoman Empire and Qajar Iran. Russian Tsars also held a "messianic self-image" as defenders of Eastern Orthodoxy. They viewed the predominantly Muslim Circassian tribes as people to be forcibly converted or expelled. Additionally, Russian generals saw Circassia as a strategic territory for imperial expansion. These motivations fueled a long period of military resistance from the Circassian people.

The military campaign involved several devastating methods to achieve Russian control. The Imperial Russian Army used starvation as a tool of war against Circassian villages. Many villages were burned down to force submission. Russian generals, such as Grigory Zass, used harsh tactics to intimidate the population. Some reports indicate that soldiers attacked houses at night. The Russian military also conducted mass deportations of the surviving population. In 1864, the army launched a campaign to move people toward the Black Sea coast.

Moving toward the coast was a perilous journey for many families. People had to travel from the mountains to the shore under extreme conditions. Many died from exhaustion, hunger, or disease during this transit. Some people died when their ships sank during storms in the Black Sea. Ottoman archives show that over one million immigrants arrived from the Caucasus by 1879. However, nearly half of these arrivals were found dying on the shores due to disease. This mass movement of people is often called the movement of "Muhajirs."

The scale of the loss was massive and is reflected in various statistics. Before the conflict, more than 4 million Circassians lived in the Caucasus. It is estimated that between 95% and 97% of the population was killed or deported. Total deaths are estimated to be between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 people. By the end of the 19th century, Russian records showed only about 106,798 Circassians remained in the region. A Russian census in 1897 reported a slightly higher number of 150,000. This makes the campaign one of the largest genocides of the 19th century.

History shows that resistance began many years before the final displacement. In 1763, Russian forces occupied the town of Mezdeug. A Circassian prince named Misost Bematiqwa started a resistance in 1764. Throughout the 1800s, different Russian generals led various campaigns. General Pavel Tsitsianov and General Nikolay Yevdokimov were among those involved in the military operations. Despite these efforts, the Russian Empire eventually succeeded in its goal of annexation. The local Circassian legal system, known as Adyghe Xabze, was also removed by Russian authorities.

Today, the legacy of these events continues through international recognition and remembrance. The Circassian diaspora is now largely concentrated in Turkey and Jordan. Some groups also live in the North Caucasus region of Russia. On May 21, people observe the Circassian Day of Mourning with marches and ceremonies. Several entities have officially recognized the events as genocide. Georgia recognized it in 2011, and Ukraine recognized it in 2025. The city of Wayne, New Jersey, has also made an official recognition.