The forerunner of the Armenian volunteer movement was the fedayeen movement, which arose in Western Armenia at the end of the 19th century as a stronghold of armed resistance against the Ottoman enslavers. The volunteer movement was the continuation of the national liberation struggle and was driven by the aspiration of the Armenians to liberate Western Armenia from Ottoman oppression. The formation of the movement was also supported by the favorable position of Tsarist Russia, the authorities of which encouraged it in every possible way.

KeywordsWorld War I Armenian volunteer regiments the ''Horizon'' newspaper massacres Armenian refugees defensive battles the Tsarist authorities heroic commanders liberated Van