What Unites Us — Part 7: Dersim, the Last Sanctuary

By Musa Ergin The story of Dersim is one of the least known yet most important chapters in the history of the Armenian Genocide. Alevi Kurdish communities became the saviors of non-Muslim and non-Turkish 'other'. This story serves as a reminder to present-day generations that different faiths and origins can converge on the same human values. The people of Dersim refer to 1915 as 'The First Catastrophe' and to 1938 as 'The Subsequent Catastrophe'.  Historical Background  In 1915, Dersim (present-day Tunceli) was a rugged, remote mountainous region that Ottoman authorities could reach only with very great difficulty. The Alevi Kurdish communities living there maintained a social structure characterized by tense relations with the state. They had their own internal laws and solidarity networks. In 1915, this unique geography and culture became the final sanctuary for thousands of Armenians.  The Alevi of Dersim and the Protection of Armenians  Large-Scale Protection  According to Armenian sources, certain Alevi Zaza tribes in Dersim refused to hand over Armenians to the Ottoman government. As recounted by Nuri Dersimi, more than 30,000 Armenians from surrounding provinces managed to escape to Russia with the assistance of the people of Dersim. Other sources place this figure somewhere between 20,000 and 36,000.  The Shared Past of the Alevi and Armenians  A century-long history of neighborly relations and solidarity existed between the Alevi of Dersim and the Armenians. A famous quote attributed to Seyit Rıza summarizes this relationship: "The difference between the Alevi and Armenians is as thin as the skin of an onion." In 1915, this close bond transformed into a concrete reflex of protection.  Seyit Ali Ağa  Seyit Ali Ağa was a well-known tribal leader in the Dersim region. He reportedly sheltered survivors for months. The village under his protection was named "Paris" by the refugees as a symbol of freedom and safety. "The difference between Alevis and Armenians is as thin as an onion skin." — Seyit Rıza  Kangozade Mehmet Ağa and "Paris" Village  Armenian refugees who sought refuge in the village of Kangozade Mehmet Ağa named the village 'Paris' as a symbol of freedom. This name represents both that period and the significance of the protection provided by Mehmet Ağa. However, the story does not end there.  1938: History's Delayed Punishment  In 1938, the Turkish state launched a comprehensive military operation against Dersim. Thousands of people lost their lives. Researchers suggest that this massacre was also a delayed vengeance by the state for the protection Dersim had extended to Armenians in 1915. Kangozade Mehmet Ağa and his entire family were killed by the state in this massacre.  Shared Heritage: The Silent Heroism of the Alevi  The story of Dersim is one of the least known yet most important chapters in the history of the Armenian Genocide. Alevi Kurdish communities became the saviors of non-Muslim and non-Turkish 'other'. This story serves as a reminder to present-day generations that different faiths and origins can converge on the same human values. The people of Dersim refer to 1915 as 'The First Catastrophe' and to 1938 as 'The Subsequent Catastrophe'. This article was originally published in Turkish by Gazete Sabro on 11 October 2026. The original can be found here. Also in this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and part 6. The views expressed in this op-ed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of SyriacPress. Sources and Further Reading Agos Newspaper — The story of those who saved Armenians in 1915: https://www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/17055/1915te-ermenileri-kurtaranlarin-hikyesi Agos Newspaper — The people of Dersim refer to 1915 as the "First Tertele": https://www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/14028/dersimliler-1915te-onceki-tertele-der  Repair Future — Identity Research in Dersim: https://repairfuture.net/index.php/tr/kimligi-ermenistan-dan-bak-s/dersim-de-kimlik-arastirmasi-ikinci-boelum-dersim-in-alevi-olmus-ermenileri  DEMOS — What the State Considered Onions: Dersim Alevis, Armenians, and Syriacs: https://demos.org.tr/devletin-sogan-bildikleri-dersim-alevileri-ermeniler-ve-suryaniler/  Institut Kurde — Dersim 1936–1938: https://www.institutkurde.org/conferences/dersim-1936-1938/ermeni_soykirimi_ve_dersim.html  Akunq.net — Armenians in the 1937–38 Dersim Massacre: https://akunq.net/tr/?p=28249