The Georgian–Armenian War was a border war fought in December 1918 between the Democratic Republic of Georgia and the First Republic of Armenia over parts of then disputed provinces of Lori, Javakheti, and Marneuli, which had been historically bicultural Armenian-Georgian territories, but were largely populated by Armenians (and Azerbaijanis in the case of Borchalo) in the 19th century. By the end of World War I, some of these territories were occupied by the Ottoman Empire they abandoned the region, both Georgians and Armenians claimed control. The hostilities continued until the United Kingdom-brokered ceasefire was signed, leaving the disputed part of Borchalo district under the joint Georgian-Armenian administration, which lasted until the establishment of the Soviet rule in Armenia in 1920.