Summary
Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh refers to the systematic expulsion and displacement of the ethnic Armenian population from the region, which has been a focal point of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia for decades. In late September 2023, following a military offensive, Azerbaijan recaptured the region, leading to the exodus of nearly 120,000 Armenians, effectively emptying Nagorno-Karabakh of its Armenian inhabitants for the first time in 3,000 years.
The roots of the conflict trace back to the late 1980s when Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh sought independence from Azerbaijan, leading to a protracted war that concluded in 1994 with a ceasefire and Armenian control over the area. However, tensions remained high, with periodic escalations culminating in a full-scale war in 2020. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Russia, Azerbaijan’s military actions and subsequent blockade of the Lachin corridor, the only route connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis for the Armenians living there. Reports from various sources have characterized the situation as ethnic cleansing, with the international community largely failing to intervene effectively.
Historical Context
- Conflict Origins: The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh began in the late 1980s with Armenian demands for independence, which intensified during the collapse of the Soviet Union. The resulting war in the early 1990s ended with Armenian forces gaining control over the territory.
- Ceasefire and Tensions: A ceasefire in 1994 established a fragile peace, but the region remained a flashpoint for violence, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The situation escalated again in 2020, leading to a significant military confrontation.
Recent Developments
- Military Offensive: In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive, resulting in the rapid displacement of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh. Reports indicated a complete exodus, with cities like Stepanakert left deserted.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The blockade of the Lachin corridor and subsequent military actions led to severe humanitarian conditions, prompting international concerns about potential genocide and ethnic cleansing.
International Response
- Global Inaction: Despite international awareness of the situation, responses have been limited to verbal condemnations, with little in the way of tangible action taken against Azerbaijan. This lack of intervention has been criticized as allowing the ethnic cleansing to occur with impunity.
- Cultural Erasure: Following the expulsion of Armenians, there are fears of cultural erasure in Nagorno-Karabakh, similar to past actions taken in Nakhchivan, where Armenian heritage sites were systematically destroyed.
The ongoing situation in Nagorno-Karabakh illustrates the complexities of nationalism, ethnic conflict, and international diplomacy, with significant implications for the region’s stability and the future of its ethnic Armenian population.
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