The eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire…
1891 CE
Sultan Abdul Hamid II gives semi-official status to the Kurdish bandits in 1890-91, at a time when the empire is either too weak and disorganized or reluctant to halt them.
Made up mainly of Kurdish tribes, but also of Turks, Yöruk, Arabs, Turkmens and Circassians, and armed by the state, they come to be called the Hamidiye Alaylari ("Hamidian Regiments").
The Hamidiye and Kurdish brigands are given free rein to attack Armenians, confiscating stores of grain, foodstuffs, and driving off livestock, and confident of escaping punishment as they are subjects of military courts only.