The Ottoman Empire demanded the surrender of the territories belonging to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk from the Transcaucasian government as well.

In parallel with the negotiations, the Ottoman army started military operations to occupy the disputed territories.

The Chairman of the National Council of Georgia, Noe Zhordania, instructed Giorgi Mazniashvili to immediately go to Natanebi Station and prevent the Ottomans from advancing to the Choloki River here.

On April 2, Mazniashvili sent an armored train to Chakvi to relieve the besieged 2nd infantry legion, which was cut off by the Ottomans and was awaiting capture.

This legion, which consisted of 500 soldiers, was demoralized and Mazniashvli sent it to Lanchkhuti, in reserve, which was to be filled with volunteers gathered by Isidore Ramishvili.

Mazniashvili divided the 4th infantry legion into four thousand units and distributed them in Likhauri, Shemokmedi, Vashnari and Ozurgeti.

[4] Noe Zhordania, Irakli Tsereteli, Vlasa Mgeladze and others came to encourage the fighters in Natanebi and spoke words.

The Ottomans laid a barricade on the railway bridge of the Ochkhamuri river, which confirmed that they were going to launch the main attack from the side of the Natanebi.

In the meantime, Akaki Urushadze, who was sent to ask for additional help, came to Mazniashvili and a 400-man detachment of the Gori Guard joined the battle.

A small army of Ottomans (one brigade with artillery) marched towards Ozurgeti, a thousand people camped in Likhauri did not resist, left their positions and retreated towards the city.

This caused a panic, the army and state institutions left Ozurgeti and began to retreat towards Chokhatauri and the Ottomans freely occupied the abandoned city.

In addition to Ozurgeti, the Ottomans took Chanieti, Likhauri, Makvaneti, Tsilimta, part of Melekeduri, and advanced in the direction of Vashnari.

Mazniashvili managed to place the reserve army in Lanchkhuti at the Nasakiral pass and block the Chokhatauri road.

On April 11, Mazniashvila tried to attack Ozurgeti and the Battle of Vashnari took place, but in the end the military actions were stopped by German diplomatic intervention and a temporary truce.