Capture of Yerevan

Strategic Context. The war began in 1603 and ended in 1612 with a Safavid victory that restored suzerainty over the Caucasus and Western Iran, territories lost in 1590. In early 1603, the Ottomans faced Jelali revolts in Eastern Anatolia and Janissary–Sipahi tensions in Constantinople.

Siege and Capture. Following the capture of Tabriz in October 1603, the Safavid army laid siege to Yerevan on 15 November 1603. The city was successfully captured in June 1604, allowing the Safavids to advance towards Kars before being halted at Akhaltsikhe.

Ottoman Counter-Attack. Sultan Ahmed I appointed Cigalazade Yusuf Sinan Pasha to command the eastern army, which marched from Constantinople on 15 June 1604. Sinan Pasha reached the front on 8 November 1604, by which time Yerevan had been captured and the Safavids had advanced toward Kars.