In the last week of April and early May, the Armenian population—almost entirely consisting of women and children—was systematically deported from Erzurum. The deportees offered no significant resistance even as their caravans were looted, individuals murdered, young women raped and children forcibly abducted, mostly by local Kurds. Of 40,000 Armenians deported from Erzurum, it is estimated that fewer than 200 reached Deir ez-Zor. By late 1915, the CUP had extinguished Armenian existence from eastern Asia Minor. In August 1915, deportation was extended to western Asia Minor and European Turkey; these deportees were often allowed to travel by rail. Areas with a very low Armenian population and some cities were partially spared from deportation. Deportation was only carried out behind the front lines, where no active rebellion existed. Armenians who lived in the war zone were instead killed in massacres.