Circassians; the Silent Crisis

Abstract Circassians are one of the ethnic groups in the South-West of the Caucasus who speak Circassian language which is one of the branches of the north-east Caucasus languages (Ebrian-Caucasian). This ethnic branch includes the Caucasian ethnic Abkhaz-Adygian group, which are nowadays divided in three republics in the north Caucasus Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygeya. By using the title Circassia, we mean historical geography of Circassians that in the last 300 years has become the center of contention among Iran, Russia and Ottoman Empire. In the history, Circassians have always played a slavish role and Iranians and Ottomans have abused them. In this case, these people had the opportunity to penetrate the Iranian and Ottoman Courts and had a significant influence on the same historical events. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, their tendency to independence in this region started and Circassians entered a period of dispute. One of the largest struggles during these years was the conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia in which Circassian military forces, battled against Georgia.