The villagers found themselves labeled as insurgents and faced severe consequences. In reality, this was not a Christian revolt but an uprising of the Bashi-Bazouks. In any other country, such an event would have been rightly recognized as such. Aziz Pacha, previously regarded as sympathetic to the Bulgarians but since removed from his position, ignored the villagers’ pleas for protection. When the inevitable attack occurred, instead of coming to their aid, he led regular troops and artillery against them.
Betrayal and Bombardment
Aziz Pacha’s arrival at the village on Thursday afternoon marked the beginning of a tragic turn of events. Without issuing a surrender demand, he immediately initiated a bombardment, catching the villagers off guard with the sudden roar of cannons. While the Turks claim that a surrender summons was sent before the attack, the villagers vehemently deny this. Considering that the village had previously requested protection from Aziz Pacha three times, it seems unlikely that they would refuse to surrender when faced with regular troops Guided Turkey Tours .
Lack of Evidence
Efforts were made to gather evidence supporting the claim that a surrender summons was issued, but these attempts likely proved fruitless. Even the Turks themselves admitted to the villagers’ appeals for protection, undermining the credibility of any assertion that they refused to surrender. The undeniable truth is that when the artillery barrage began, the villagers, who had bravely prepared to defend their church, succumbed to panic. Despite their prior readiness and the church’s strategic position, they fled in desperation, abandoning their fortified refuge.
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