Azerbaijan declared martial law on June 23, 1918.
The government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has taken significant legislative steps to ensure the country’s territorial integrity in the face of a very difficult domestic and international situation, to achieve economic and social development, and to strengthen army building with the necessary laws. Throughout its tenure, the APC government paid special attention to the establishment of various military structures, the training of military personnel, and the general provision of the army, all of which are critical for the formation of a strong army.
At the same time, Turkish troops provided unparalleled assistance in establishing an Azerbaijani army with high combat capability, in accordance with the Ottoman-Azerbaijani Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance of June 4, 1918. Because Muslims were not called up for military service during the Russian Empire, there was a severe shortage of officers among Azerbaijanis.
He emphasized the importance of army building by establishing a military ministry in the decision of the National Council on the composition of the first government dated May 28, 1918. As the first military minister, Khosrov bey Sultanov was appointed to the government.
Considering the danger and tense situation in the country, the government declared martial law throughout Azerbaijan on June 23, 1918.
By government decision on July 11, 1918, the Ganja City Military Conscription Department was renamed the All-Azerbaijan Military Conscription Department. On the same day, a mobilization to recruit Muslims born between 1894 and 1899 to serve in the army was announced.
The Azerbaijan Military Service Office was directed by the government to determine the location and time of conscription. Prime Minister F. Khoyski and Military Administration Commissioner I. The document signed by Ziyadkhanov called for punitive measures against those who avoided military service in accordance with martial law laws.
The Caucasus Islamic Army was founded on the 5th Ottoman Division and the Muslim National Corps led by General Aliaga Shikhlinsky at the time.
Nuru Pasha commanded the Caucasus Islamic Army, which had approximately 18,000 soldiers and officers, 6,000 from the Ottoman regular army and 12,000 from Azerbaijani military units.
