What’s happening between Armenia-Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh

• Roshan Amiri
• . September 20, 2023
• . Update: September 21, 2023 5:33 pm
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Azerbaijan, one of six independent Turkic states, has launched “anti-terrorist activities” in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in order to drive away Armenian troops. This has escalated the row between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenian forces have already agreed to a ceasefire in order to establish peace in the region. However, can it be beneficial to establish security in Azerbaijan’s breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh? What’s happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh?

The two countries have already fought two wars over Karabakh, a landlocked region in the South Caucasus. The row began again after Armenian troops arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh, also referred to as Artsakh by Armenians. 

What’s happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh?

In recent months, Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of building up troops in the sensitive region. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. However, people living in this region are ethnic Armenians. Armenians call Nagorno-Karabakh “Artsakh.”

Ethnic Armenians have also established their own government in Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenians claim a long presence in the area. The countries fought three wars over the area.

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The European Union, the United States and Russia have repeatedly called to maintain a permanent peace in the region. 

Last year, Azerbaijan began blocking the Lachin corridor, a mountain road that links Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani authorities said that the decision was taken to prevent weapons smuggling.

On Wednesday, Armenian separatist forces said that they had been forced to agree to Azerbaijan’s terms – relayed by Russian peacekeepers. Armenian separatist forces said in a statement, “The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal from the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire.”

This comes 24 hours after Azerbaijan began an offensive to restore full control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Under the agreement, Armenian separatist forces agreed to disband the talks on the future of the sensitive region. 

According to reports and knowledgeable sources, it is still unclear how many ethnic Armenians will stay in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.