The Ottoman Empire understood the threat this created and is in large part why they chose the Kurds to make-up the Hamidiye . The Kurdish population could potentially unite with the Russians , but with the formation of the Hamidiye they would protect the frontiers of the Ottoman Empire . Some argue that the creation of the Hamidiye " further antagonized the Armenian population " and it worsened the very conflict they were created to prevent . The Hamidiye played a significant role in the Armenian Genocide and largely responsible for the alleged Hamidian Massacres that occurred from 1894-1896 . They were told to take control of many lands populated by Armenians to weaken " internal enemies " along with the alleged hidden agenda of eventually eliminating the Armenians . Regions with high Armenian revolutionary actions were targets for the Hamidiye . The Hamidiye created an " Armenian Conspiracy " to justify their reasons for killing the Armenians
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
Hamidiye (cavalry)