On July 21, 1915, approximately 5,000 residents of six Armenian villages in the Musa Dagh region refused deportation and organized armed self-defense. Around 600 Armenian fighters, led by Yesayi Yaghubyan, resisted vastly superior Ottoman forces for 53 days.

While under siege, the people of Musa Dagh sent signals toward the sea asking for help. In September, French warships reached the coast and evacuated approximately 4,200 Armenians to Port Said, Egypt.

The heroic battle of Musa Dagh became one of the most prominent examples of self-defense during the years of the genocide committed against Armenians, demonstrating the power of organized resistance and saving thousands of lives.