Agarak

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Agarak (Armenian: Ագարակ) or Eghrek Dere (Turkish: Eğrekdere) also Uchkaya (Turkish: Uçkaya) - up to 1920 was Armenian village in Surmalu (St. Mariam) district of Democratic Republic of Armenia. There was Surb Stepanos Armenian (Armenian: Ագարակի Սուրբ Ստեփանոս բազիլիկ) basilica near the village. Since the 1920 captured by Turkish warlord Karabekir. Most of the native (Armenian) population rescuing from occupants fled to left bank to Araxes river, those who remained was killed by Turks. Since the 1921 this occupation was legalized by Treaty of Kars, that handed to Turkey not only Western Armenia (as against of Sevres Treaty) but also Kars province and Surmalu district, without taking into account views of Armenians who lived there for several millenia. According to evidences of local Kurds, Saint Stephanus monastery was still standing till 1930th. German historians who visited cite of the monastery at 1950 found this monastery thoroughly destroyed. Since the 1920 Agarak village was renamed firstly to Eghrekdere and then to Uchkaya. Now this village lays at Tuzluja (Koghb) district of Igdir province of Turkey. Populated by Azeris and Kurds.