After the devastating invasions by Timur, Georgia faced new challenges with the rise of the Qara Qoyunlu and later Aq Qoyunlu Turkoman confederations in the Caucasus and Western Persia. The power vacuum left by Timur's empire led to increased instability and frequent conflicts in the region, affecting Georgia significantly.

Qara Qoyunlu Invasions

The Qara Qoyunlu, under the leadership of Qara Yusuf, took advantage of Georgia's weakened state post-Timur invasions. In 1407, during one of their first attacks, Qara Yusuf captured and killed George VII of Georgia, took many prisoners, and wreaked havoc across the Georgian territories. Subsequent invasions followed, with Constantine I of Georgia being defeated and executed after being captured at the Battle of Chalagan, further destabilizing the region.

Alexander I’s Reconquests

Alexander I of Georgia, aiming to restore and defend his kingdom, managed to recover territories such as Lori from the Turkomans by 1431. His efforts helped to stabilize the borders temporarily and allowed for some recovery from the continuous assaults.

Jahan Shah’s Invasions

During the mid-15th century, Jahan Shah of Qara Qoyunlu launched multiple invasions into Georgia. The most notable was in 1440, which resulted in the sacking of Samshvilde and the capital, Tbilisi. These invasions continued intermittently, each significantly straining Georgia’s resources and weakening its political structure.

Uzun Hasan’s Campaigns

Later in the century, Uzun Hasan of Aq Qoyunlu led further invasions into Georgia, continuing the pattern of assault established by his predecessors. His campaigns in 1466, 1472, and possibly 1476-77 focused on enforcing dominance over Georgia, which had by then become fragmented and politically unstable.

Yaqub’s Invasions

In the late 15th century, Yaqub of Aq Qoyunlu also targeted Georgia. His campaigns in 1486 and 1488 included assaults on key Georgian cities like Dmanisi and Kveshi, further demonstrating the ongoing challenge faced by Georgia in maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

End of the Turkoman Threat

The Turkoman threat to Georgia diminished significantly after the rise of the Safavid dynasty under Ismail I, who defeated the Aq Qoyunlu in 1502. This victory marked the end of major Turkoman invasions into Georgian territory and shifted the regional power dynamics, paving the way for relative stability in the region.

Throughout this period, Georgia struggled with the impact of continuous military campaigns and the broader geopolitical changes that reshaped the Caucasus and Western Asia. These conflicts drained Georgian resources, led to significant loss of life, and hampered the kingdom’s economic and social development, contributing to its eventual fragmentation into smaller political entities.