Abdul Kerim Pasha

Who was Abdul Kerim Pasha?

Abdul Kerim Pasha, also known as Abdülkerim Öpelimi, was an Ottoman commander on the Caucasus front of World War I.

Abdul Kerim Pasha's first battle was when the Russian General Oganovski launched an offence into the hills west of Malazgirt, in 1915. Abdul Kerim Pasha counterattacked against the Russians and defeated Oganovski at the Battle of Malazgirt, and captured the town of Malazgirt. However Nikolai Yudenich, replaced Oganovski, as Russian commander, and counterattacked, re-taking Malazgirt.

Yudenich ordered a retreat from Malazgirt, as he was outnumbered by Abdul Kerim Pasha's army, and Kerim pursued. Yudenich defeated Kerim at the Battle of Kara Killisse. Pasha retreated back to Malazgirt.

In 1916, Kerim suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Erzurum. after that Kerim was removed from command.