Abkhazia conflict (1918)

The Abkhazian conflict was an armed conflict in Abkhazia between the Georgian Democratic Republic, Russian Soviet Republic and Ottoman Empire. It consisted of a series of Bolshevik uprisings and an Ottoman landing defeated by the Georgian military.

Conflict
In February 1918, Gudauta-based Bolsheviks launched a rebellion, calling for the radical land reform. On 16 February 1918, Russian warships from Trabzon with deserting revolutionary soldiers on board entered Sokhumi port and following a clash between them and the local nobleman, local Bolsheviks seized power in Sokhumi with the support of Russian warships. However, with the departure of the warships, the city authorities were reconstituted on 21 February, while Bolsheviks retreated to Gudauta.

In March 1918, Gudauta-based Bolsheviks launched another revolt and on 8 April 1918 they seized power in Sokhumi and entire Abkhazia, apart from the Kodor-Ochamchira administrative area. The local Abkhaz People's Council was declared as disbanded. On May 8, the Soviet of Workers' and Peasants' Deputies of Sukhumi adopted a resolution on joining the Russia Soviet Republic. The Abkhaz People's Council requested aid from the Transcaucasian authorities, which dispatched the Georgian People's Guard to Abkhazia under the command of Valiko Jugheli and defeated the rebels on 17 May 1918. The local Abkhazian People's Council was reinstated in the region. The Bolsheviks retreated to Gagra.

Valiko Jugeli and the People's Guard soon withdrew from Abkhazia to quash another Bolshevik rebellion in Dusheti, with only a small force remaining. On 26 May 1918, Georgia declared the independence from the Transcaucasian Federation, which was dissolved the few days later. On 8 June, Abkhaz People's Council signed a treaty with the Georgian Democratic Republic, joining it as an autonomy. On 18 June, Bolsheviks launched another rebellion in Gudauta and prepared to march on Sokhumi. They received reinforcement of around 2000 volunteers from Kuban-Black Sea Soviet Republic and captured New Athos on 20 June.

A Georgian force under Major General Giorgi Mazniashvili was deployed in the region and joined by Abkhaz cavalry provided by local nobility. On 22 June, they seized Gudauta, and on 28 June – Gagra, reaching the River Psou, after which they continued to pursue the Bolsheviks in Sochi okrug.

Later Mazniashvili turned his attention to Samurzakano, still under control of local Bolsheviks, and defeated the rebels in September 1918.