Khanasor ( Surb Khach ) mountain pass

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Khanasor also Khanadzor and Surb Khach is a mountain pass in Vaspurakan ( Kotrur ) mountains in Armenian Highlands, currently at Turkish-Iranian border. The prominent battlefield between Armenian fedayees and Kurdish Mazrik tribe on July 25, 1897. In 1896, in the aftermath of the Defense of Van, the Mazrik tribe had ambushed and slaughtered many of the Armenian defenders of Van as they were retreating into Persia. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation decided to retaliate for that atrocity, resulting in the Khanasor Expedition. Although ARF founder Rosdom's brother Garo and 25 other fedayees were among the casualties, the Khanasor expedition was a small triumph for the Armenians, both militarily and morally. As a result, Armenians built up their self-confidence; their belief in their ability to defend themselves was now reinforced.