The Battle for Kardzhali

Immediately after the outbreak of the First Balkan War, the Bulgarian command took steps to secure the Kardzhali region, as Ottoman troops were dangerously close to the rear of the Bulgarian armies advancing into Eastern Thrace. The Haskovo Detachment was formed and tasked with driving the enemy, Yaver Pasha's Kardzhali Corps, south of the Arda River. On the first day of the war, the detachment advanced towards Kardzhali and reached the heights north of the town two days later. On 8 October, it attacked Yaver Pasha's forces on the approaches to Kardzhali. Bulgarian artillery superiority and an irresistible bayonet charge quickly forced the enemy to flee in panic across the Arda, abandoning weapons and equipment.

As a result of the victory, Kardzhali and the Eastern Rhodope Mountains became and remained part of the Bulgarian state. The flank and rear of the Bulgarian forces operating around Edirne and towards Constantinople were secured.